Microscopy Day

On Saturday, 4th August, I and 9 other Cheshire beekeepers took the opportunity to attend the microscopy workshop organised by Graham Royle at the Tarvin Community Centre.

As this was a gathering of novices, Graham started by explaining the principles and use of both high power and dissecting microscopes. The theory bit over, we immediately set about the practical workshop, taking and mounting pollen samples, dissecting bees under liquid, mashing and testing for nosema spores & inspecting trachea for acarine. At one stage I thought I had discovered a new organ, but Graham identified it as a sliver of the wax used to mount the bee!

During the lunch-break a wide range of bee-related topics were enthusiastically discussed, as always happens when a group of beekeepers gather (Ed. Any suggestions for a technical term for a gathering of beekeepers?). I was reminded of one of the points raised a few days later when I noticed a lot of bees trying to enter a hive via a handhole in one of my polystyrene boxes. Who says bees are clever?

Thank you, Graham, for organising such an interesting, informative and above all, enjoyable day.

Graham Platt

Return to top of page

Current News:

Archive News: