WILDLIFE expert and president of the CB Dennis British Beekeepers' Research Trust Dr David Dixon, gave a fascinating talk at the Wharf on the life history of the honeybee and the diseases currently affecting bee colonies.

The diseases are responsible for a dramatic decline in colony numbers which is having serious consequences for agriculture and horticulture due to the honey bee's major role as a pollinator. 

Viral diseases, in particular deformed wing virus (DWV), whose transference and increased virulence is linked to the rapid spread of the Asia-derived Varroa mite, is currently the subject of molecular research some of which is being carried out by Dr Declan Schroeder at the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth — the honeybee DWV belongs to the same family of viruses as those responsible for regulating phytoplankton populations in the ocean, so for Dr Schroeder the honeybee represents as useful model organism for learning more about their rapid evolution, molecular structure and transmission 

Dr Dixon described a practical approach to Varroa control now being tried by several expert beekeepers.

Despite the serious nature of his talk, he ended on an optimistic note that given good weather bees can quickly regenerate their colonies — 'honey bees are creatures of the sun'.

Dr Dixon will be giving a further talk at the Wharf on Monday, September 9 on deer, entitled 'Secrets of the Rut'.