Honey Hygiene Flashcards
What is the role of honey bees in agriculture?
Honey bees are crucial for pollination, which is essential for the production of many crops and contributes significantly to agricultural productivity.
What are the main components of a bee colony?
A bee colony comprises a queen (egg-laying), drones (males for mating), and workers (females handling other tasks).
What is the primary sugar in nectar that bees convert into honey?
Sucrose, which is converted to glucose and fructose by the enzyme invertase.
Name two important antimicrobial characteristics of honey.
Low water activity (aw) that restricts microbial growth and the presence of hydrogen peroxide in some types of honey.
Why is it difficult for bacteria to develop resistance to honey?
Honey contains hundreds of bioactive compounds with overlapping antimicrobial effects.
What are some veterinary drugs that may leave residues in honey?
Chloramphenicol, streptomycin, tetracyclines, and sulphonamides.
Who is the competent authority in the UK for testing honey for drug residues?
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
Why is honey a risk factor for infant botulism?
Honey can contain viable spores of Clostridium botulinum, which may germinate in the immature gut microflora of infants under 12 months old.
Name a notifiable disease affecting honey bees in the UK.
American Foulbrood, caused by Paenibacillus larvae.
How is European Foulbrood spread, and what is a common control method?
It is spread by nurse bees and controlled by the “shook swarm” method or destroying the colony in severe cases.
What is the impact of the Varroa mite on honey bee colonies?
Varroa mites weaken immunity, serve as vectors for viruses like deformed wing virus, and reduce the lifespan of bees, especially affecting strong colonies.
What are some physical treatment methods for Varroa mite control?
Dusting with icing sugar and using trap combs.
What is the significance of the Asian hornet for honey bees in the UK?
It is a specialized bee predator, and an extermination policy is in place due to its increasing presence and threat.
What is a key piece of legislation concerning honey bee health in the UK?
The National Bee Unit works in partnership with the government to ensure bee health and honey hygiene.
What control strategies are used for pests like the Small Hive Beetle?
Good husbandry practices are crucial, as eradication is unlikely once the beetle is present.
