WO2011085474A1

WO2011085474A1 - Apparatus and method for delivering honey bee brood pheromone into a hive

Info

Publication number: WO2011085474A1
Application number: PCT/CA2011/000028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Leighton Foster; Cameron G. Lait; John Harvey Borden
Original assignee: Contech Enterprises Inc.
Priority date: 2010-01-12
Filing date: 2011-01-11
Publication date: 2011-07-21

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for holding a pheromone containing package between adjacent frames of a honey bee hive is provided. The apparatus includes: a frame-spanning member; a stem pivotally attachable to the frame-spanning member; a holder for retaining the pheromone containing package, the holder connected to the stem, the holder comprising a face configured to expose a pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package to a space between the frames; and an angle assembly connected to a proximal portion of the stem, the angle assembly comprising opposing first and second fulcrum points configured to pivot the holder toward a first frame as the frames are moved closer together, whereby the face of the holder orients toward the center of the space between the frames and away from the first frame.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING HONEY BEE

BROOD PHEROMONE INTO A HIVE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for delivering honey bee brood pheromone into a hive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

LeConte et al. (1990) identified 10 non-volatile fatty acid ester components of the honey bee brood pheromone. Pankiw and Page (2001) and Page and Pankiw (2002) found that a synthetic blend of the pheromone (ethyl linoleate 1%, ethyl linolenate 13%, ethyl oleate 8%, ethyl palmitate 3%, ethyl stearate 7%, methyl linoleate 2%, methyl linolenate 21 %, methyl oleate 25%, methyl palmitate 3%, and methyl stearate 17%) lowered the foraging age of worker bees, and also lowered the neurosensory response threshold to sucrose, a measure of increased propensity to forage for pollen rather than nectar (Pankiw and Page 2000; Pankiw 2003; Pankiw et al. 2004b).

In studies offering minute amounts of the 10-component synthetic pheromone within the hive by dispensing it daily on glass plates a remarkable list of phenomena and benefits has been compiled, including: increased ratio of pollen to non-pollen foragers (Pankiw and Page 2001); more pollen foragers by up to 150% (Pankiw 2004a,b; Pankiw and Page 2001 ; Pankiw and Rubink 2002; Pankiw et al. 1998; 2004a; Sagili 2007; Schulz et al. 2002); more pollen forager trips per unit time (Pankiw 2007); raised weight of pollen returned to the hive (Pankiw 2004a; Pankiw et al. 2004a); construction of more brood cells, in which larvae are raised, increasing the population of adult worker bees in both summer and winter (Pankiw et al. 2004a; 2008); lowered age at which worker bees become foragers (LeConte et al. 2001 ; Pankiw 2004a; Pankiw et al. 2004a,b; Sagili 2007); higher protein content in the hypopharyngeal glands of nurse bees, thus increasing the quality of the diet fed to larvae and the queen (Mohammedi et al. 1996; Pankiw et al. 2004a,b; Sagili 2007); less idleness and greater oviposition by the queen (Sagili and Pankiw 2009); raised number and activity level of nectar foragers, thereby further increasing pollination of flowers (Pankiw 2004a; Pankiw et al. 2004a); and greater consumption of dietary pollen in the winter, leading to increased colony vigor (Pankiw et al. 2008). Despite the above benefits, Page and Pankiw (2002) state that the "synthetic brood pheromone is easily oxidizable, and must be stored in low-oxygen conditions, preferably at -20°C, and most preferably at -70°C if it will be stored for any long period of time." This instability led to three hypotheses: 1) the fresh pheromone is biologically active, but some or all of its constituents break down rapidly to sub-threshold levels, 2) breakdown components are inhibitory and counteract the positive activity of the active components, or 3) minute amounts of breakdown products have a positive effect at first, but over time rise to inhibitory levels. Pankiw et al. (2008) showed that bioactivity is retained over time if an antioxidant is added to the 10 pheromone components, leading to rejection of the third hypothesis and acceptance of the first, but not answering the second,

Lafontaine et al. (2009) describe a pheromone-releasing device made of a heat- sealed plastic pouch containing an 1 1 -component synthetic stabilized brood pheromone composition, comprising methyl palmitate (0.3-50%), ethyl palmitate (0.3-50%), methyl stearate (1.7-50%), ethyl stearate (0.7-50%), methyl oleate (0.3-50%), ethyl oleate (0.8- 50%), methyl linoleate (0.2-50%), ethyl linoleate (0.1-50%), methyl linolenate (0.2-

50%)), ethyl linolenate (1.3-50%) and a food-grade antioxidant selected from among the group comprised of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytolulene, and tertiary- butyl hydroquinone (0.001-50%). The pheromone-containing plastic pouch has a pheromone-impermeable Mylar backing, and a pheromone-permeable face composed of low density polyethylene. The pouch is mounted in a 35 mm slide frame. When frames with pouches loaded with 200 μΤ of said 1 1 -component synthetic stabilized brood pheromone composition were suspended on a wire between the frames in a honey bee hive (one frame per hive), foraging activity was significantly higher than in control hives for over 35 days, and there were corresponding positive effects on adult and brood populations (Lafontaine et al. 2009).

In practice, Lafontaine et al. (2009) teach that the 35 mm slide frame bearing a pheromone-containing plastic pouch is in turn is placed in a third device, a plastic holder comprised of flexible flat plastic, with a hinged portion that bends to a 90° angle from the vertical portion to form a T-shaped structure. The 35 mm slide frame, with the mounted pheromone-containing pouch, is inserted into slots in the holder, which is then placed in the hive with the T-shaped structure spanning the gap between the frames, suspending the mounted pouch between the frames at the level of the brood comb.

We have found that in practice, the means of delivering the synthetic brood pheromone composition to the hive using three devices (a pheromone-containing pouch, a slide frame and a holder) has several deficiencies. There are three steps required in manufacturing and assembling prior to inserting the complete unit into the hive: 1) making the sealed pheromone-containing pouch, 2) mounting the pouch in the slide frame, and 3) inserting the slide frame into the holder. The finished slide frame and the holder require separate packaging, raising the cost to the purchaser. The last step is done by the beekeeper, and is costly in terms of time. When the slide frame is inserted into slots in the plastic holder, the holder becomes bent, so that the leading edge catches on the comb when the assembled unit is inserted into the hive. Lastly, the folded T-joint which suspends the slide frame and pouch between the frames almost never rests at a right angle to the hanging body of the flat holder. The result is that the slide frame tends to be held in contact with one or the other opposing brood combs. The pheromone is non-volatile, demanding that the bees contact the exuded pheromone on the surface of the polyethylene release membrane in order to be stimulated by the pheromone. Because the pheromone-containing pouch is one sided, there is a 50% chance that the pheromone - permeable membrane will be held against the comb, causing the bees to walk around the "back" of the unit over the pheromone-impermeable side of the device. In doing so, they would not contact the pheromone, and the treatment would be ineffective. We describe apparatus and methods that address at least some of the foregoing problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for holding a pheromone containing package between adjacent frames of a honey bee hive is provided. The apparatus includes: a frame-spanning member; a stem pivotally attachable to the frame-spanning member; a holder for retaining the pheromone containing package, the holder connected to the stem, the holder comprising a face configured to expose a pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package to a space between the frames; and an angle assembly connected to a proximal portion of the stem, the angle assembly comprising opposing first and second fulcrum points configured to pivot the holder toward a first frame as the frames are moved closer together, whereby the face of the holder orients toward the center of the space between the frames and away from the first frame.

The first fulcrum point may have a forwardmost distal projecting member and the second fulcrum point may have a rearmost proximal projecting member. The distal projecting member may have a first pair of flanges and the proximal projecting member may have a second pair of flanges. The forward edges of the first pair of flanges and rear edges of the second pair of flanges may be slanted away from the face of the holder. The forward edges and the rear edges may be in parallel in relation to each other. The first and second pairs of flanges may be integrally formed. The angle assembly may be fixedly connected to the stem.

The holder may be fixedly connected to a distal portion of the stem. The holder may include a distal portion lockable into a mirror-image proximal portion, the distal portion and the mirror-image proximal portion configured to house the pheromone containing package therebetween, wherein at least one of the distal portion and the mirror-image proximal portion comprises a window for exposing the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package to the space between the frames. The window may correspond in dimensions to a heat seal of the pheromone containing package. The mirror-image proximal portion may include the window for exposing the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package, wherein the face of the holder includes the forward surface of the mirror-image proximal portion. The distal portion may consist of a fold-over portion connected to the mirror-image proximal portion by at least one living hinge. The distal portion and the mirror-image proximal portion may be substantially flat and rectangular. The mirror-image proximal portion may include raised right angle ridges bounding each corner of the window for seating the pheromone containing package. The distal portion may include depressions configured to fittingly engage the raised right-angle ridges. The mirror-image proximal portion may include a plurality of pegs lockingly engageable with corresponding holes in the distal portion.

The frame-spanning member and a proximal end of the stem may have complementary pivoting means. The complementary pivoting means may include a right-angle-cross aperture in the frame-spanning member and a ball fixture disposed on the proximal end of the stem, wherein the diameter of the ball fixture is greater than a central hole of the diameter of the right-angle-cross aperture, whereby the ball fixture is forcibly insertable through the right-angle-cross aperture to provide a pivoting connection between the frame-spanning member and the stem. The frame-spanning member may include a disc, the right-angle-cross aperture centrally located on the disc. The frame- spanning member may be removably connected to the ball fixture by a twist-off connection.

The frame-spanning member, stem, holder and angle assembly may be constructed of semi-rigid, flexible plastic, and may be integrally formed.

The pheromone containing package may contain an 1 1 -component non-volatile honey bee brood pheromone composition comprising methyl palmitate (0.3-50%), ethyl palmitate (0.3-50%), methyl stearate (1.7-50%), ethyl stearate (0.7-50%), methyl oleate (0.3-50%), ethyl oleate (0.8-50%), methyl linoleate (0.2-50%), ethyl linoleate (0.1-50%), methyl linolenate (0.2-50%), ethyl linolenate (1.3-50%) and a food-grade antioxidant selected from among the group comprised of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytolulene, and tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (0.001 -50%).

In another aspect of the invention, a method of exposing a bee colony to pheromone is provided. The method includes suspending one or more of the above- described apparatus between adjacent frames of a honey bee hive so as to expose worker bees within the hive to a thin film of exuded pheromone on the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package. The worker bees within the hive may be exposed to the pheromone for at least 35 days.

In a further aspect of the invention, an alternative method of exposing a bee colony to pheromone is provided. The method includes laying the above-described apparatus on top of the frames in the bottom unit of a hive with two or more units to expose worker bees within the hive to a thin film of exuded pheromone on the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package.

DRAWINGS

In drawings which show non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

Figure lis a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in an unassembled configuration;

Figure 2 is a close up partial rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 showing the holder in an open configuration;

Figure 3 is a close up partial rear perspective view of embodiment shown in Figure 1 showing how a pheromone containing package is retained within the holder;

Figure 4 is a close up partial rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in

Figure 1 showing the holder in a closed configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in an assembled configuration;

Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in an assembled configuration; and Figure 7 is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , in an assembled configuration and in operation, suspended from the top rails of two adjacent frames in a honey bee hive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for introducing a honey bee brood pheromone into a hive in such a manner that worker honey bees are exposed to honey bee brood pheromone exuding though a pheromone permeable surface of a pheromone containing package. The apparatus includes a frame-spanning member that spans adjacent frames of the hive, a stem pivotally attached to and suspended from the frame-spanning member, a holder connected to the stem for retaining and exposing the pheromone containing package, and an angle assembly connected to a proximal portion of the stem and having opposing fulcrum points that pivot the holder toward one of the frames as the frames are moved closer together, such that the face of the holder exposing the pheromone permeable surface faces the center of the space between the frames.

The term "pheromone containing package" as used in this specification refers to any package containing honey bee brood pheromone having at least one pheromone permeable surface. For example, the pheromone containing package may be a heat- sealed pouch reservoir containing a honey bee brood pheromone and having a pheromone-permeable plastic membrane as described in Lafontaine et al. (2009), which is incorporated herein by reference. The term "honey bee brood pheromone" as used in this specification refers to any pheromone composition that increases collection of pollen and nectar, increases production of honey, and/or enhances the vigor of a honey bee colony. For example, the honey bee brood pheromone may be an 1 1 -component non-volatile honey bee brood pheromone composition comprised of methyl palmitate (0.3-50%), ethyl palmitate (0.3- 50%), methyl stearate (1.7-50%), ethyl stearate (0.7-50%), methyl oleate (0.3-50%), ethyl oleate (0.8-50%), methyl linoleate (0.2-50%), ethyl linoleate (0.1 -50%), methyl linolenate (0.2-50%), ethyl linolenate (1.3-50%) and a food-grade antioxidant selected from among the group comprised of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated

hydroxytolulene, and tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (0.001 -50%).

The term "proximal" as used in this specification refers to the direction toward the top of the device when the device is in use and suspended. The term "distal" as used in this specification refers to the direction toward the bottom of the device when the device is in use and suspended. The terms "forward" and "forwardmost" as used in this specification refers to the direction faced by the exposed pheromone-permeable surface of the pheromone containing package when the holder is in use. The terms "rear", and "rearmost" as used in this specification refers to the direction opposite to that faced by the exposed pheromone-permeable surface of the pheromone containing package when the holder is in use.

Figures 1 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention. As seen in Figure 1 , device 100 includes a frame-spanning member 1 10, a stem 120, a holder 130, and an angle assembly 140. Device 100 may be made of a semi-rigid, flexible plastic material. Device 100 may be made as a single, integral, molded plastic piece, or as two or more separate pieces.

Frame-spanning member 1 10 is sized to span the distance between adjacent rails R, R' of respective frames F, F' (Figure 7). Frame-spanning member 1 10 may be substantially flat. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, frame-spanning member 1 10 may be a flat disc 3 attached via twist-off connection to a proximal end of stem 120 (Figure 1). In other embodiments, flat disc 3 may be provided as a separate piece or attached via twist-off connection to a different part of device 100.

Frame-spanning member 1 10 and the proximal end of stem 120 are pivotally attachable to each other by complementary pivoting means. In the illustrated

embodiment, the complementary pivoting means are a central aperture 29 formed as a right angle cross in the centre of the disc 3, and a ball fixture 4 and neck 5 at the proximal end of stem 120. Ball fixture 4 may be twisted off of neck 5 and inserted through central aperture 29, allowing the remainder of device 100 to hang loosely between frames F, F' . In other embodiments, the complementary pivoting means may be other means of providing a pivoting connection, such as a ball/socket, a pivot bar/hook, a hinge, and the like.

Holder 130 may be fixedly connected to a distal portion of a flat, narrow bar portion 6 of stem 120. Holder 130 has a face 132 configured to expose a pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package P to the space S between the frames F, F'. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, holder 130 may include a rectangular distal fold-over portion 1 and a proximal mirror-image portion 2

corresponding to the fold-over portion 1. As shown in Figure 2, the rectangular distal fold-over portion 1 may connected to the proximal mirror-image portion 2 by two living hinges 8, 9. In other embodiments, the distal and proximal portions may be provided as separate pieces.

Both distal fold-over portion 1 and proximal mirror-image portion 2 have identically-shaped rectangular windows 10 and 1 1 , respectively. Proximal mirror-image portion 2 has a right-angle ridge 12, 13, 14, 15 at each corner of window 1 1 in which pheromone containing package P can be seated, with the pheromone permeable surface facing window 1 1 (Figure 3). The dimensions of window 1 1 may correspond to the dimensions of the heat seal of pheromone containing package P. Each raised right-angle ridge 12, 13, 14,15 on proximal mirror-image portion 2 engages a corresponding depression 17, 18, 19, 20 on distal fold-over portion 1 , resulting in a secure fit between distal fold-over portion 1 and proximal mirror-image portion 2 when the two portions are pressed together. As also shown in Figure 2, proximal mirror-image portion 2 has four pegs 21, 22, 23, 24 abutting corresponding right-angle ridges 12, 13, 14, 15. Each peg has a slot in the proximal face, allowing it to lock into each of four overlapping holes 25, 26, 27, 28 in distal fold-over portion 1 when it is pivoted toward and pressed closed against proximal mirror-image portion 2 (Figure 4). One end of pheromone containing package P may also fit into the slots in distal pegs 21 , 22 of proximal mirror-image portion 2 (Figures 2 and 3). Angle assembly 140 is connected to a proximal portion of stem 120. Angle assembly 140 may be an angle box 7. As shown in Figure 6, angle box 7 includes a first pair of forward flanges 30, 31 and a second pair of rear flanges 32, 33. Forward flanges 30, 31 are located distally of rear flanges 32, 33. The forward edges of forward flanges 30, 31 , and the rear edges of rear flanges 32, 33 slant away from face 132 of holder 120. The forward and rear edges may also be parallel to each other as in the illustrated embodiment. The forwardmost projection of forward flanges 30, 31 and the rearmost projection of rear flanges 32, 33 respectively provide two opposing fulcrum points 34, 35 (Figure 7). The suspending portion of device 100 pivots to the rear (Figure 7, curved arrow) toward frame F' when the frames F, F' are moved together (Figure 7, direction of straight arrows) and rails R, R' of frames F, F' contact opposing fulcrum points 34, 35. In this manner, face 132 of holder 120, i.e., the forward side of proximal mirror-image portion 2 in the illustrated embodiment, will always face the center of the space S between frames F, F' from which holder 120 is suspended. This will allow the honey bees to make unimpeded contact with the thin film of exuded pheromone on the pheromone-permeable surface of the pheromone containing package P.

Device 100 may be suspended between frames of a honey bee hive for 35 days or longer. This also will allow continuous exposure to bee brood pheromone. For example, exposure of bees to the above-mentioned 1 1 -component non- volatile honey bee brood pheromone composition for periods of 35 days or more has been shown experimentally to stimulate foraging behavior, to significantly increase brood and adult populations, and to significantly increase honey production. As an alternative to being suspended, device 100 may be left intact, without removing disc 3, and placed flat, with face 132 facing up on top of the frames in the bottom box (super) of a honey bee hive with two or more boxes (supers).

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example:

• The angle assembly may, from a side view, be shaped as a slanted H-shape, slanted Z-shape, or any other suitable shape and may be in any suitable configuration that provides two opposing fulcrum points.

• Each one of the opposing fulcrum points of the angle assembly may be a pair of aligned points (as in the illustrated embodiment), a single point, three or more aligned points, a horizontal edge, and the like.

· The stem may be branched at its distal end to hold multiple holders.

• The shapes of various features such as the disc, angle box, stem, and holder may be altered to any other suitable shape that does not derogate from its function.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

REFERENCES

US Patent Documents Page, R.E., Jr. and T. Pankiw. 2002. Synthetic bee pollen foraging pheromone and uses thereof. U.S. Patent No. 2002/0182977 Al .

Pankiw, T., N. Avelino and J.P. Lafontaine. 2008. Stabilized brood pheromone for manipulating the behavior and physiology of honey bees. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0124300. International Patent Documents

Lafontaine, J.P., T. Pankiw, A.L. Birmingham, N. Avelino, J.H. Borden, A.J. Feldman and A.J. Stone. 2009. Slow-release device for delivering stabilized honey bee brood pheromone within the hive. International Publication No. WO 2009/0594125.

Other Publications

LeConte, Y., G. Arnold, J. Trouiller and C. Masson. 1990. Identification of a brood pheromone in honey bees. Naturwissenschaften 81 : 462-465.

LeConte, Y., A. Mohammedi and G.E. Robinson. 2001. Primer effects of a brood pheromone on honey bee behavioural development. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 268: 163-168.

Mohammedi, A., D. Crauser, A. Paris and Y. LeConte. 1996. Effect of a brood pheromone on honeybee hypopharyngeal glands. Comptes rendus de P'academie des Sciences Paris, Sciences de la Vie 319: 768-772. Pankiw, T. 2003. Directional change in a suite of foraging behaviors in tropical and temperate evolved honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobioiogy 54: 458-464.

Pankiw, T. 2004a. Brood pheromone regulates foraging activity of honey bees

(Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 97: 748-751.

Pankiw, T. 2004b. Cued in: honey bee pheromones as information flow and colony decision making. Apidologie 35: 217-226. Pankiw, T. 2007. Brood pheromone modulation of pollen forager turnaround time in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.). Journal of Insect Behavior 20: 173-180. Pankiw, T. and R.E. Page, Jr. 2000. Response thresholds to sucrose predict foraging division of labor in honey bees. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 47: 265-267.

Pankiw, T. and R.E. Page, Jr. 2001. Brood pheromone modulates sucrose response thresholds in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 49: 206-213.

Pankiw, T. and W.L. Rubink. 2002. Pollen foraging response to brood pheromone by Africanized and European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 95 : 761 -767.

Pankiw, T., R.E. Page, Jr. and M.K. Fondrk. 1998. Brood pheromone stimulates pollen foraging in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 44: 193- 198.

Pankiw, T., R. Roman, R.R. Sagili and K. Zhu-Salzman. 2004a. Pheromone-modulated behavioral suites influence colony growth in the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Naturwissenschaften 91 : 575-578. Pankiw, T., CM. Nelson, R.E, Page, Jr. and M.K. Fondrk. 2004b. The communal crop: modulation of sucrose response thresholds of pre-foraging honey bees with incoming nectar quality. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 55: 286-292.

Sagili, R.R. 2007. Evaluation of physiological and pheromonal factors regulating honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) foraging and colony growth. PhD dissertation, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. 1 15 pp.

Sagili, R.R. and T. Pankiw. 2009. Effects of brood pheromone modulated brood rearing behaviors on hone bee (Apis mellifera L.) colony growth. Journal of Insect Behavior 22: 339-349. Schulz, D.J., J.P. Sullivan and G.E. Robinson. 2002. Juvenile hormone and octopamine in the regulation of division of labor in honey bee colonies. Hormones and Behavior 42: 222-231.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A apparatus for holding a pheromone containing package between adjacent frames of a honey bee hive, the apparatus comprising: a frame-spanning member; a stem pivotally attachable to the frame-spanning member; a holder for retaining the pheromone containing package, the holder connected to the stem, the holder comprising a face configured to expose a pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package to a space between the frames; an angle assembly connected to a proximal portion of the stem, the angle assembly comprising opposing first and second fulcrum points configured to pivot the holder toward a first frame as the frames are moved closer together, whereby the face of the holder orients toward the center of the space between the frames and away from the first frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first fulcrum point comprises a

forwardmost distal projecting member and the second fulcrum point comprises a rearmost proximal projecting member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the distal projecting member comprises a first pair of flanges and the proximal projecting member comprises a second pair of flanges, wherein forward edges of the first pair of flanges and rear edges of the second pair of flanges are slanted away from the face of the holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the forward edges and the rear edges are parallel in relation to each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first and second pairs of flanges are integrally formed.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the angle assembly is fixedly connected to the stem.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the holder is fixedly connected to the stem.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the holder is connected to a distal portion of the stem.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the holder comprises a distal portion lockable into a mirror-image proximal portion, the distal portion and the mirror- image proximal portion configured to house the pheromone containing package therebetween, wherein at least one of the distal portion and the mirror-image proximal portion comprises a window for exposing the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package to the space between the frames.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the window corresponds in dimensions to a heat seal of the pheromone containing package.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10 wherein the mirror-image proximal portion comprises the window for exposing the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package, wherein the face of the holder comprises a forward surface of the mirror-image proximal portion.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 1 1 wherein the distal portion consists of a fold-over portion connected to the mirror-image proximal portion by at least one living hinge.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the distal portion and the mirror-image proximal portion are substantially flat and rectangular.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 1 to 13 wherein the mirror-image proximal portion comprises raised right angle ridges bounding each corner of the window for seating the pheromone containing package.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the distal portion comprises depressions configured to fittingly engage the raised right-angle ridges.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the mirror-image proximal portion comprises a plurality of pegs lockingly engageable with corresponding holes in the distal portion.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the frame-spanning member and a proximal end of the stem comprise complementary pivoting means.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the complementary pivoting means comprise a right-angle-cross aperture in the frame-spanning member and a ball fixture disposed on the proximal end of the stem, wherein the diameter of the ball fixture is greater than a central hole of the diameter of the right-angle-cross aperture, whereby the ball fixture is forcibly insertable through the right-angle-cross aperture to provide a pivoting connection between the frame-spanning member and the stem.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the frame-spanning member comprises a disc, the right-angle-cross aperture centrally located on the disc.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18 wherein the frame-spanning member is removably connected to the ball fixture by a twist-off connection.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the frame-spanning member, stem, holder and angle assembly are constructed of semi-rigid, flexible plastic.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the frame -spanning member, stem, holder and angle assembly are integrally formed.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the pheromone containing package contains an 1 1 -component non-volatile honey bee brood pheromone

composition comprising methyl palmitate (0.3-50%), ethyl palmitate (0.3-50%>), methyl stearate (1.7-50%), ethyl stearate (0.7-50%), methyl oleate (0.3-50%), ethyl oleate (0.8- 50%), methyl linoleate (0.2-50%), ethyl linoleate (0.1-50%), methyl linolenate (0.2- 50%), ethyl linolenate (1.3-50%) and a food-grade antioxidant selected from among the group comprised of butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytolulene, and tertiary- butyl hydroquinone (0.001 -50%).

24. A method of exposing a bee colony to pheromone comprising suspending one or more of the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 23 between the frames of a honey bee hive so as to expose worker bees within the hive to a thin film of exuded pheromone on the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the worker bees within the hive are exposed to the thin film of exuded pheromone on the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package for at least 35 days.

26. A method of exposing a bee colony to pheromone comprising laying the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 23 on top of the frames in the bottom unit of a hive with two or more units to expose worker bees within the hive to a thin film of exuded pheromone on the pheromone permeable surface of the pheromone containing package.