THEVOICE | 4 = By RIVER KERO t might be a tiny parasite, but the Varroa destructor mite is an enormous problem for bees and their keepers — and now in more ways than one. Varroa mites have long been a major cause for honeybee colony collapse. But one recent study shows they are now transmitting a crippling patho- gen: deformed wing virus or DWV. According to the study, a new and dominant strain of the virus is now spreading, one which is more viru- lent and contagious. Symptoms of this new variant (DWV-B) of this seasonal virus include: twisted wings, bloated abdomens, smaller bodies and disco- louration. SFU researchers have been work- ing on a chemical compound to kill the Varroa mites without harming the honeybees. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27,2022 | EDITOR JORDAN COPP Arts&Life As the team studies the compound to understand fully how it works before seeking federal approval, beekeepers must continue to use tradi- tional methods to keep the scourge under control. Varroa mites are miniscule, only one millimeter long, but can propa- gate and easily devastate beehives. Steve Sandve of East Van Bees said it’s the “number one” problem beekeep- aren't beekeepers anymore — they're mite killers. “The mites feed off of the bees and puncture holes in their exoskeleton when they're feeding on the bees. The bees are [then] more susceptible to diseases, viruses, things like that.” He concluded: “If you're not doing that [killing mites], you're not beekeeping anymore because you have no bees.” ers have to ;— | ' . 7 Testing for contend with. If you're not doing that | the mites is “Tr’s a little “112 ° ! possible, but tiny mite [killing mites] you re tricky. Unless that’s pretty not beekeeping anymore | the hive is arge when tested in the compared to because you have right spot at having 2 large no bees." the cluster of backpack on LL ~J CHANDLER, BEEKEEPER —! mites might be your back,” said Sandve. missed. J Chandler of Jane’s Honeybees, based in South Surrey said beekeepers But there are a number of tools beekeepers have at their disposal to Beekeepers fight the mite Varroa parasite increases spread of deadly, mutated virus / combat them. Sandve said he uses treatments that can be chemical or organic for his hives. Other times, he will confine the queen to stop her from laying so there's no brood for the mites to infest. Chandler said he uses pharmaceu- tical plastic strips that beekeepers can put into the hives that are impreg- nated with mite killer. The bees can walk across the strips, and the medi- cation kills the mites. “Sometimes they get resistant to the medication, so you've got to keep switching those up,” Chandler said. Hobbyist beekeeper Greg Joiner of the Riley Park area in Vancouver has also battled the Varroa mite. But he is optimistic about bee evolution. “They're evolving this defence strategy,” he said. “It’s called hygienic behavior. They're attacking the mite, they're figuring out ‘okay, we've got to take care of this ourselves.” TOP HONEYBEE PESTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA » American Foulbrood A spore-forming bacteria which "caps" or covers honeycombs. » Nosema A parasite which feeds on the inner organs of adult honeybees. » Small Hive Beetle A pest originating from Africa, this beetle has been spread by human- assisted movement. » Kashmir Bee Virus A virus brought from New Zea- land in the early 1980s. Source: gov.bc.ca Crew, the Backstage jobs play huge role = By CHRISTOPHER HARCOURT ehind-the-scenes roles will B play a huge part in the poten- tial success of Studio 58’s final production of the year, according to the faculty and students involved in production. Crew roles were given out last week for the upcoming production, Meta- morphoses, performing from Nov.17 to Nov. 24. The roles include marketing, sound, lighting and costumes. The critical and often invisible work done in pre-and post-production are unsung heros of Studio 58 productions often as laborious and challenging as the performances audiences get to enjoy. The days have been longer for Studio 58 students as Metamorpho- ses will be performed off-campus at the historic East Vancouver theatre, The Cultch. Samuel Walmsley-Byrne, a student of the Studio 58 theatre program, said the backstage roles are the unsung heroes of play perfor- mances. “So much of the focus in the inter- views is on the actors in film and TV,” he said. “When you see a show that you like, don’t just remember the faces of the people on stage — remember the people who worked on it.” Halla Bertrand, Studio 58 commu- nications and marketing manager, said this upcoming off-site produc- tion affects the job of students on the marketing crew. “T think it’s really important with this upcoming show to create a sense of hype and excitement that we are out on the town,” said Bertrand. “IT think it’s a really good “The idea is that everybody, whether you're in production or were in “cue-to-cue” or “tech week.” Cue-to-cue is a physical rehearsal to run through “| the perfor- mance with- out dialogue. During tech week — a week prior to open- opportu- nity for us to broaden our community and the folks that come to acting, gets a really good sense of what it takes to do a play.” - KEVIN MACDONALD, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR ing night — sound, lights, set, costumes and makeup are present for the first time in a see the show.” Ruth Bruhn, Studio 58 faculty and production manager said the 66 theatre students, who are in the program, go through a lot of work when wrapping up a production. Leading up to opening night, students week. Bruhn said the days are long, some- times running 12-14 hours. “When you open a show on Satur- day then you do it for the next week, and they're still going to classes, people are very tired,” she said. Studio 58 technical director Kevin MacDonald said the program makes sure students are well accustomed to the different roles in theatre — including the backstage roles. “The idea is that everybody, whether you're in production or acting, gets a really good sense of what it takes to do a play,” said MacDon- ald. “What it takes to be an actor, a designer, a builder, stage manager and all those different roles.” Rachel Ross, a student who has worked as a stage manager for Studio 58 productions, said behind-the- scenes work is “crucial” to a well- rounded production. “It’s what makes theatre magical. There are so many moving parts that people can’t even begin to imagine how much stuff goes on behind-the- scenes,” said Ross.