Virginia Evergreen Winter 2018

well timed applications of protectant fungicides, and installing more re- sistant species and cultivars of box- wood overtime. While I have great hope based on all the research find- ings and field observations over the past several years, this is not a time to let our guard down. Please continue do your part to control the spread. Only you can help prevent the spread of boxwood blight. Virginia Tech Best Management Guides for Boxwood Blight: https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/com- mercial-horticulture/boxwood- blight.html Norman Dart, VDACS State Plant Pathologist. 10/10/17 Pollinator Habitat Video Hi, just

Good News for U.S. Honey Bees

Save The Date! August 9-11, 2018 VCTGA Annual Conference and Farm Tour

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the latest results of its honey bee health survey, and the results are pos- itive! Overall, honey bee numbers look to have increased 3% and col- ony loss declined about 27%, which are both compared to this time last year. Varroa mite is still listed as the pri- mary threat to colonies, with over 40% of hives reporting infesta- tions. Other factors contributing to colony loss include stress by pesti- cides (13%), mites and pests other than Varroa (12%), and diseases (4.3%). Bad weather, poor nutrition, insufficient forage, and other various reasons were also listed (6.6%). Loss from what has historically been referred to as colony collapse disor-

wanted to let you all know that we released a new polli- nator habi- tat video last week. We’d ap- preciate if you could please

der (CCD) was included in the surveys as well and is also de- creasing. CCD has been de- fined by little to no build-up of dead bees in the hive, rapid loss of adult honey bees despite the presence of the queen and food reserves, ab- sence of rob- bing of the food reserves, and bee loss not at- tributed to Var- roa or Nosema (fungal dis- ease). Jill Calabro, PhD

Ad – Tree Teck

share this with list-serves, on a web site or Facebook page, and other contacts to help build public awareness. https://youtu.be/xvLxhOseOU4 Carol A. Heiser, Education Section Manager Habitat Education Coordinator Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400 Henrico, VA 23228 Ph 804-367-6989 Fax 804-367-0262 Carol.Heiser@dgif.virginia.gov www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/habitat

VCTGA News Journal ‒ Winter 2018 VCTGA News Journal – Winter 2018 

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