African bee could be the answer
2009-11-20 11:29
George - African honey bees could be used to breed bees with resistance to the feared American Foul Brood disease which has alarmed South African bee farmers since the beginning of the year.
The disease, which kills young bees in their hives, has spread throughout the Western Cape since February when it was first confirmed in SA, and clinical symptoms have also been found elsewhere in the country.
"The African honey bee is indigenous and genetically much more diverse than the European honey bee with its limited genetic variants," says professor Robin Crew from the University of Pretoria.
"Characteristics which offer resistance to American Foul Brood disease and other diseases affecting bees, could be identified in this diverse gene pool and used to breed resistant bees."
According to John Moodie, chairperson of the South African Bee Industry Organisation (Sabio), Crew had done extensive research about the African honey bee.
"Robin did extensive research based on the DNA of the African honey bee and this is now widely regarded as the original ancestor of all honey bees," says Moodie.
According to him, the counter for the feared American Foul Brood disease could possibly lie in the resistance of the African honey bee.
Meanwhile, he is waiting on recommendations from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with regards to management strategies and legislation, which would help fight the disease.
Special lectures
Bee farmers in the Western Cape will in January be given the opportunity to learn more about the African honey bee when Crew gives three lectures at the University of Cape Town's annual summer school.
Crewe says he will look at the development of bees from their fossil ancestors, the origins of modern honey bees in Africa and their distribution throughout Africa, to Europe and the Middle East.
The lectures will also explain how domesticated European bees spread to America and Australasia and established themselves as an exotic species in a new habitat to the great advantage of human beings.
The necessity of honey bees for food security as well as bees' social behaviour will also be explained.
The summer school is aimed at adult education and all are welcome. A small registration fee will be charged.
The course begins on January 15. More details are available on the summer school's website.