Interactions of commercial bee populations with feral bee populations, and the control of feral bees

Seven plots 500 m x 100 m were established in Wyperfeld National Park. The 2000 trees contained therein were individually labelled, and the number of potential nesting hollows in each tree counted. The location of all feral bee colonies was mapped, and samples taken. As a test of the effects of commercial bees on the feral bee population, swarms of commercial origin with known mitochondrial DNA sequences were released at two plots. All feral colonies were killed at two plots, and recolonisation by ferals is monitored. DNA studies were used to track the survival of the released bees, and to evaluate whether the hollows of poisoned colonies were reoccupied or whether the poisoning was ineffective. 10% of the released colonies survived 6 months, which is equal to the survival of feral swarms. No released colonies survived 12 months.

Oldroyd et al. (1994c), reported on the density of feral bee colonies (over 77 / km2), and the overlap in bee nest sites with those of native fauna, particularly the rare Regent Parrot. Oldroyd et al (1995b) describes how this population is aggregated, and the fact that aggregations are of unrelated colonies.

Honey bee populations fluctuated wildly, from a maximum of over 100 colonies / km2 to around 8 in the spring of 1995. The study has provided data crucial to the management of feral bees in preserved ecosystems. It is also providing new data on the ecology, reproductive biology and population genetics of honey bees.

We aren't working on feral bees at the moment, but interested students are invited to suggest possible projects.