Dublin, Ireland
May 8, 2007
A decline in bee diversity and
abundance linked to habitat loss and disease in Europe together
with a 50% drop in the number of managed honeybee colonies
throughout North America are part of a global phenomenon known
as the ‘pollination crisis’.
Over 80% of crops in Europe are pollinated by insects and the
contribution of bumblebees to Irish agriculture is often
underestimated. Bees are responsible for most crop pollination
and are often actively introduced by farmers into crops to
improve production. Each year, Irish growers import hundreds of
commercial bumblebee colonies from mainland Europe to improve
fruit quality and yield. However, without proper management,
this could lead to the introduction of new diseases in native
bumblebee populations. The nature of the bee pollination service
in Ireland has changed quite dramatically over the last ten
years.
Crops such as apples, pears and berries are entirely dependent
on pollinators for fruit production, while in crops like oilseed
rape, sunflowers, peppers and tomatoes, visits by pollinating
insects like bees improve the quality and quantity of fruit and
seeds produced. Recent intensification of agriculture in the
United States has necessitated the direct and large-scale
importation of honeybees to pollinate crops such as alfalfa and
almonds.
Researchers at Teagasc Oak
Park are working on the management of diseases in honeybees and
the protection of native bumblebees through the proper
management and containment of imported species. This research is
featured in the latest issue of TResearch, Teagasc’s research
and innovation magazine, and is particularly relevant
considering the emergence of ‘Colony Collapse Disorder’, which
is devastating US bee populations.
The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) was accidentally introduced
into Ireland and was first detected in Sligo in 1998. Early
attempts at containment failed and it has now spread to most
parts of the country. Teagasc has conducted research on Varroa
since the mite was first found in Ireland. Varroa infestation
has also been associated with an increased incidence of viral
diseases in bees. Research at Teagasc is developing alternative
Varroa management strategies that are suitable for Irish
climatic conditions.
“By improving Varroa management and understanding the dynamics
of bee diseases, Teagasc research aims to contribute to
increased honeybee densities in the Irish countryside,” explains
Dr Finbarr Horgan, Teagasc Oak Park Crop Research Centre.
“The effective management of Varroa and associated diseases in
honeybees, as well as the protection of native bumblebees
through the proper management and containment of imported
species, is expected to improve pollination efficiency and
contribute to sustained increases in crop productivity.”
The above articles are featured in TResearch, Volume 2,
Number 2, Summer 2007.
It is available free for download at:
www.teagasc.ie.
TResearch is a Teagasc publication produced with the support of
AIB to improve the communication of scientific research and
innovation to the agriculture and food industry.
TResearch is edited by Catriona Boyle, Scientific Writer/Editor
at Teagasc Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow. |
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