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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » Carl Hayden Bee Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #242161
Title: Bee Ranges and Almond Orchard Locations: Contemporary Visualization

Author
item ARLINGHAUS, SANDRA - University Of Michigan
item Sammataro, Diana
item Finley-Short, Jennifer

Submitted to: Associated Google Earth
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2009
Publication Date: 5/20/2009
Citation: Arlinghaus, S., Sammataro, D., Finley, J.V. 2009. Bee Ranges and Almond Orchard Locations: Contemporary Visualization. .

Interpretive Summary: For more than a decade, Dr. Diana Sammataro has been sending information to Dr. Arlinghaus to visualize the global plight of the honey bee. Mapping the diffusion of the bee's arch enemies, the Varroa Mite and Small Hive Beetles offers insight into where interventions might be successful. Other mapping possibilities include overlaying soil type with the expansion of Small Hive Beetle. Most recently, a mapped set of locations at which Varroa had been sighted since its emergence. Much of the information is now summarized using a "timeline" in Google Earth. As technololgical capability has expanded, GPS data makes it straighforward to map more detailed information. California almond orchards are one locale that boasts substantial honey bee populations.

Technical Abstract: When trapping pollen from almonds, a site map showing the location of bee hives and their flight range provided information on where the bees were flying and from what type of terrain the bees were collecting forage. We used this information to determine where bees might be flying to collect food stores. Using mapping and GPS data, it is possible for beekeepers to begin anticipating bee forage areas to take advantage of good (or bad) locations.