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Female parasitic fly, Apocephalus. borealis, ovipositing into the abdomen of a worker honey bee. (Photo by Christopher Quock, Courtesy of PLoS Journal) |
DAVIS--One of the San Francisco State University researchers who drew international attention for a journal article on a parasitic fly that infests honey bees will be among the speakers at the Northern California Entomology Society meeting, set Thursday, Feb. 2 at the California Department of Food and Agriculture Plant Diagnostic Lab, 3288 Meadowview Road, Sacramento.
John Hafernik, professor in the Biology Department, San Francisco State University, will speak on “Attack of the Zombie-Bee Fly (Apocephalus borealis) on Honey Bees” at 1:15 p.m. when the group meets from 9:15 to 3 p.m.
The research, which took place in the Hafernik lab, led to the publication of “A New Threat to Honey Bees, the Parasitic Phorid Fly (Apocephalus borealis)" in the Jan. 3rd edition of PLoS Journal.
University Communications wrote in a news release: "The fly, Apocephalus borealis, deposits its eggs into a bee’s abdomen. Usually about seven days after the bee dies, fly larvae push their way into the world from between the bee’s head and thorax. But it’s the middle part of this macabre story that may be the most scientifically interesting to those studying the dramatic and mysterious disappearance of honey bees.
"After being parasitized by the fly, the bees abandon their hives in what is literally a flight of the living dead to congregate near lights. 'When we observed the bees for some time—the ones that were alive—we found that they walked around in circles, often with no sense of direction,' said Andrew Core, an SF State graduate student from Hafernik’s lab who is the lead author on the study."
Hafernik was quoted in the news release: “We don’t know the best way to stop parasitization, because one of the big things we’re missing is where the flies are parasitizing the bees. We assume it’s while the bees are out foraging, because we don’t see the flies hanging around the bee hives. But it’s still a bit of a black hole in terms of where it’s actually happening.”
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| Newly elected president is Robert Case of Concord, (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
The schedule includes:
9:15 a.m.
Registration and coffee
9:45 a.m.
“UC Davis Contained Research Facility: Its Role in Research for Guiding Regulations”-- Kris Godfrey, associate project scientist, Contained Research Facility (CRF), University of California, Davis. She was a scientist with the Biological Control Program, California Department of Food and Agriculture, before joining CRF in August 2001.
10:30 a.m.
“Agriculture, Pesticides, and Biological Control: Comparing Chile and California” -- Michael Parrella, professor and chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology
11:15 a.m.
“Alterations of Feeding Behavior of Frankliniella occidentalis by Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus: Implications for Western Flower Thrips Control” – Candice Stafford, doctoral candidate in Plant Pathology, UC Davis and student of Diane Ullman
12:00 Lunch – Group will order out ($15)
1:15 p.m.
“Attack of the Zombie-Bee Fly (Apocephalus borealis) on Honey Bees” – John Hafernik, Department of Biology, San Francisco State University.
2 p.m.
“Forensic Entomology and Its Potential Role in Fire Death Investigations” – forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey, UC Davis Department of Entomology
2:45 p.m.
“An Update on the California European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana) Management Program in Contra Costa County” – Lucia Varela, UC North Coast IPM Advisor
The Northern California Entomology Society is comprised of university faculty, researchers, pest abatement professionals, students and other interested persons. The group meets three times a year: the first Thursday in February, at the CDFA Plant Diagnostics Lab; the first Thursday in May, at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility; and the first Thursday in November in the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District conference room, Concord. Membership is open to all interested persons; dues are $10 year.
Newly elected president of the group is Bob Case of Concord, retired deputy agricultural commissioner from the Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture. He holds a master's degree from San Francisco State University in ecology and systematics and has taught biology and environmental classes at many Bay Area community colleges for 25 years. Active in the California Native Plant Society, he also frequently speaks at plant/garden club meetings on pest management and wildflower photography.
For further information on the Feb. 2nd meeting, contact secretary-treasurer Eric Mussen at ecmussen@ucdavis.edu or call (530) 752-0472. Mussen is an Extension apiculturist with the UC Davis Department of Entomology.
Directions:
CDFA Plant Diagnostic Lab
3288 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, California, 94533
(Between I-5 and Hwy 99; Look for CDFA sign and gate; From I-5, take Meadowview Exit; from 99, take Mack Exit [Mack becomes Meadowview around the railroad track crossing])
The Plant Diagnostic Lab is the large yellow and green building at the back end of the property. It is at the south end of the driveway and left of the relatively small parking area. There is more parking behind the lab and behind the other buildings, along the east edge of the property. Parking also is available on the west side of the Warehouse just before you reach the lab. Regardless of where you park, you must enter the lab through the front door.
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
