Understanding Bee Colony Biology (Part 4 of 4) Ralph Büchler

A lecture given by Ralph Büchler at the 2019 National Honey Show entitled "Understanding the Complex Biology of Honey Bee Colonies and its Links to Colony Health (Part 4 of 4)" The lecture is sponsored by BDI Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd. The National Honey Show gratefully acknowledge the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers for their support.

Ralph Büchler
Working with honey bees since his youth, Büchler studied agriculture and biology at Bonn University and finished his PhD in bee science. In 1990 he moved to the bee institute in Kirchhain which is one of the larger German training and research centres for beekeeping. Since 1997, he is leading the institute with its about 20 coworkers. Honey bee selection, disease resistance and alternative varroa treatment concepts are in the focus of Büchler´s research activities. He has participated in many national and international research projects like Smartbees, Coloss, Fitbee and is recently coordinating an EU study on varroa resistant stock and a national selection project on SMR. Büchler acts as the scientific adviser for the breeder association “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Toleranzzucht”. He is author of hundreds of papers, book contributions and scientific films.

Understanding the Complex Biology of Honey Bee Colonies and its Links to Colony Health
Before we start to fight certain bee diseases and parasites we should ask how bee colonies cope with them under natural conditions and what may be the critical differences under modern beekeeping conditions. Why do swarms prefer to settle apart from the mothers nest, what can we learn from the inner nest structure, how does the complex mating biology of honey bees affect colony vitality? The idea will be followed that certain disease problems correspond with certain deficiencies in the natural self protection of colonies. Special attention will be paid to the natural brood and bee population dynamic of honey bees and its consequences for health protection. If we improve our understanding of these natural mechanisms we can improve our management concepts and develop strategies to control diseases and parasites by biological and biotechnical means. This will be explained with some practical examples from AFB, chalk brood and, most relevant, Varroa control.