|
 Ligurian
bees thrive in the mild Kangaroo Island climate with ample nectar
and pollen sources.
A
Government queen breeding project known as the Bee Farm commenced
operations by hiving 300 colonies from tree hollows and burrows
in Flinders Chase National Park.
Mating
hives were transported to separate areas to ensure an unrelated
drone population for mating with the queen.
Wild
hives exist throughout the forest areas, in caves and burrows and
in walls of sheds and houses. One particular wild hive, well
known to apiarists, features natural comb of 1-1/2 meters in
length.
The
population of Ligurian bees existing in a natural state
fluctuates according to the flowering cycle of nectar sources and
other factors, including bushfires.
Since
bees can forage only within around 5 kilometers of their hive and
cannot transport their young, there is natural attrition of hives
according to seasonal conditions.
Areas
where plentiful hive sites abound are then gradually
re-colonized. During spring swarms issue in search of new homes.
As bee diseases present on the mainland have not reached Kangaroo
Island, these swarms can be, and are, collected by apiarists and
incorporated into their apiaries.
To
avoid bees from occupying tree hollows to the exclusion of
Australian birds, particularly some rare species existing only on
Kangaroo Island, the Island beekeepers are conducting a trapping
program to attract and remove swarms from National Parks and
other areas.
The
program is expected to yield valuable data on the fluctuation in
population of the naturalized Ligurian bee.
Beekeepers
have also been able to advise on suitable material for artificial
nest boxes which will not attract bee swarms.
If
you have any questions on the sanctuary or the trapping program,
please email the Secretary of K.I. Beekeepers Association (Betty
McAdam) at hogbay@kin.net.au
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HOG
BAY APIARY
