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There were some things missing in the first package sent to INSIGNIA participants… Now the ApiStrips are ready. These strips contain TENAX, a substance that is adsorbing substances that bees bring into the hive. The strips are placed in all three test colonies, and remain in those for two weeks. We recommend to place the strips in central beelane (of the lower box). For mounting we recommend a wire (or bent paper clip, as shown in the picture below). Please use unique wires for each ApiStrip. After sampling, wrap ApiStrip in aluminium foil and store in labeled sample bags in the freezer.

In the last days the parcels for citizen scientists were packed! Austrian citizen scientists all have their own pollen traps, so the other material was packed and send together with the picture manual to participants. Among others, it contains the sample bags, beehold tubes and the adapter for placing the beehold tubes in front of the pollen trap. Straws (for harvesting beebread) and stickers to label colonies are also provided. Though not complete yet, the picture below shows the content of the box for Austrian citizen scientists. Aluminium foil and disposable medical gloves may be added too!

In 2019, four different methods to sample pesticides and pollen diversity will be tested and compared in four countries (Austria, Denmark, England, Greece). The tests will be made by citizen scientists, which need three honey bee colonies on one apiary.

Here is a very rough scheme of the study setup!

The materials needed for participants are currently packed and shipped before Easter. Good chance to test the beehold tubes and adapter! As you can see, I put some tape around the adaptor to first make it more stable, and second reduce light in the adapter. I decided not to use black tape, as I was afraid of overheating in summer.

Continue reading “Testing beehold tubes and adapter in Austria before sending it to participants”

The materials needed to participate in INSIGNIA will be send out soon to citizen scientists! Here you can see the picture manual for instruction. It includes a step by step guidance on how to take and store samples, as well as a phenology list of important pollen sources.

For Austrian citizen scientists, the document was translated to German and a spiral binding folder was produced.

First day at the British Beekeepers Association Spring Convention at Harper Adams University, Shropshire, UK. Attended by some 2,000 or so people, this is a three day event with a lecture programme ranging from beginner beekeepers talks to the very scientific, this year with speakers from the UK, USA, Greece, Spain, Ireland and Italy, workshops on a variety of practical topics, and a one day trade show. Several members of the INSIGNIA Consortium have given talks at the conference over the last few years. Today Norman Carreck gave a talk about “science for the beekeeper” showing the importance of using the results of bee research to improve our understanding of bee biology, and hence to help the beekeeper to understand bee behaviour and improve our beekeeping. He used as an example the COLOSS CSI Pollen project and introduced the new INSIGNIA project to the audience. Two of the UK beekeeper volunteers who will be talking part this season are present at the convention.

The Italian beekeeper’s magazine APINSIEME recently published an article about the INSIGNIA project. Italy is one of the partners of the INSIGNIA consortium that covers 12 European countries.

Continue reading “Presenting INSIGNIA in Italy”