The Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations
(Comhnascadh Cumann Beachairí na hÉireann)
Education and Examination Board
INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATION JULY 2013
Section A: Scientific (09.30-12.30)
Time allowed: Three (3) hours
Date: Tuesday 23rd July 2013
You must answer QUESTION 1 and FOUR OTHER QUESTIONS
Draw diagrams and sketches where appropriate.
Write clearly and adhere strictly to the subject matter of the questions.
Write on one side of the answer paper only.
Commence each answer on a separate sheet of paper.
In your answer, it is important that you explain the reasons, the background, the scientific basis and/or
theory behind the statements you make in your answers.
1 (a) List the main diseases of adult honey bees and also the main brood diseases.
[6 marks]
(b) Select one adult disease and one brood disease and write a full note on each showing its effects,
how it may be detected and dealt with and what treatments if any are available.
[14 marks]
__________________________________________________________________________________
2 (a) Describe the life-cycle of the female honeybee castes including metamorphosis and indicate clearly
how it forms the basis of the nine/ten day inspection interval used by beekeepers to effect swarm
control.
[10 marks]
(b) Write a short account of parthenogenesis in the honey bee.
[10 marks]
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Write notes on five of the following seven items: - the functions of the mandibular glands in the
honeybee; laying workers, the fermentation of honey; chalk brood; the antennae; api-bioxal; the sting
[4 marks each]
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. (a) Describe how oxygen is carried to the body tissue in the honeybee and how carbon dioxide is
eliminated.
[10 marks]
(b) Describe how the individual bee orientates to its hive.
[10 marks]
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. (a) Describe with the aid of a sketch how plant fertilisation occurs; pay particular attention to the role of
the bee.
[10 marks]
(b) Describe how both pollen and nectar are collected brought back to the hive and stored.
[10 marks]
_________________________________________________________________________________
6 Describe:
(a) the life cycle of the varroa mite
(b) the effects of varroa mites on individual bees in an infested colony
(c) the effects of varroa on the colony
(d) treatment.
4 @ 5 marks each