§=6AVAILABLE
FROM B/D NOW AT WWW.BEESFORDEVELOPMENT.ORG
BOOK SHELF BEEKEEPING, THEORY AND PRACTICE Donald Rugira Kugonza 2009 282 pages 15
(€19) Code K900
This is
a welcome new text on African beekeeping. Part one (six chapters) covers all the background information concerning bee biology, anatomy and social behaviour that beekeeper might wish to know. a
Part two (nine chapters) describes beekeeping itself. Local style hives, top-bar hives and frame hives are described and there is much useful information and advice, with plenty of helpful diagrams, illustrations and photographs. While most of the fext is relevant, it does describe several practices without mentioning that they are not practised in tropical Africa — for example Chapter 8 describes how to ‘install package bees’ — a concept
familiar only to beekeepers in America. It is admirable to see efforts made to estimate returns on investment, however predicting average yields of 80 kg from Langstroth (frame) hives is unrealistic. Bees for Development would be interested to hear fram any beekeeper in tropical Africa who has achieved such yields! These few
comments aside, this text has much to commend
it, and is a useful new
addition to the range of books available
on African beekeeping.
INSECT BEHAVIOR Robert W Matthews and Janice R Matthews 2010 (2nd edition) 514 pages Hardcover 66.99
(€100) Code M905
An academic text appropriate for those needing scientific appreciation of how insect behavioural systems function, that provides considerabie detail on honey bee and other social insects’ bioiogy. Therefore a useful text for college libraries, but not essential reading for beekeepers.
MANAGEMENT OF VARROA DESTRUCTOR 0 P Chaudhary 2007 96 pages price fo be announced
MANAGEMENT OF
VARROA DESTRUCTOR
Varroa destructor arrived in North india in 2004. It rapidly killed tens of thousands of the European Apis mellifera colonies upon which large-scale beekeeping operations are based in this region. At first Indian beekeepers endeavoured to follow Varroa control methods that had provided effective elsewhere. Yet these offen proved impossible in India because of differences in equipment and climate. This book describes the life cycle and methods for detection of Varroa. It then addresses biotechnical, organic and chemical methods for control of Varroa that fit well with prevailing conditions. In the long term, the only satisfactory solution is that beekeepers select Varroa tolerant honey bee colonies, and this is discussed, together with integrated approaches to Varroa management. This is an excellent and useful text for beekeepers in India and neighbouring countries who are keeping Apis mellifera haney bees.
FIREFLIES, HONEY AND SILK Gilbert Waldbauer 2009 233 pages Hardcover 18
(€27) Code W920
This is an exquisitely produced book whose presentation entices the reader within. The author is a Professor ot Entomology retired from the University of Illinois, USA, obviously enjoying his retirement to produce learned and beautiful explanations of the ways in which insects enrich our lives. He focuses on just a few species — those ‘insects people like’ and naturally the list includes honey bees. The enjoyable text visits history, mythology, literature, ecology, and slowly reveals the mind-blowing complexity of plant and animal communities. We like the foundation-embossed inner cover of this beautiful book!
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE HONEY BEE E Readicker-Henderson 2009 164 pages Hardcover 15
(€22) Code R145
Another beautiful book, this has fantastic full and double page colour photographs of bees, flowers, beekeeping and bee products. Accompanying these pictures is an extended essay that explains some history of honey, hOW nectar is transformed into honey, and what beekeeping entails. Surely, a wonderful introduction for non-beekeepers who would like to understand more about bees and honey.
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BOOK OF HONEY Stefan Bogdanov information on the properties and composition of honey, honey for health and honey trade. Accessible online at www.bee-hexagon.net/en/honey.htm
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fac aSia s A Teatby E.READICKER-HENDERSON
