My basic research seeks to characterize the underlying mechanisms of honey bee resistance to parasitic mites and bee pathogens and the genetic correlations among those traits. I also seek to determine the importance of environmental factors on the expression of those mechanisms in order that they can be better estimated in potential breeding stock. My applied research has two major components. I evaluate new methods for controlling mites and pathogens in honey bee colonies. I also develop model systems that can be adopted by the beekeeping industry. Such systems include a demonstration honey bee breeding project for multiple desirable traits, including freedom from deleterious Africanized honey bee genes, and demonstration Integrated Pest Management programs for honey bee pests, parasites, pathogens, and predators. My extension program transfers research results directly to beekeepers. I also provide training for individuals interested in becoming hobbyist or commercial beekeepers. My teaching efforts focus on the biology of the honey bee, with an emphasis on the significant role that honey bees and other insects play in natural and managed ecosystems.

Beekeeping is essential to modern agriculture, providing pollination for over 90 commercial crops in the U.S., including several crops in New York. The honey bee adds $8 billion worth of value to agricultural crops each year, and nearly $200 million of these benefits accrue directly to growers and consumers of fruit, vegetable, and seed crops in New York. Several factors threaten the supply of bee colonies. Parasitic mites have devastated bee populations throughout the U.S., creating instability in the supply of bees rented for pollination. The development of pesticide resistance in the mite population has exacerbated this problem. A fatal bacterial disease of honey bees has developed resistance to the antibiotic used to prevent it. Cheap, imported honey has maintained downward pressure on the prices paid to U.S. honey producers. Combined with increased cost attributable to mites and disease, this has contributed to a reduction in the number of beekeepers and colonies. Finally, the Africanized honey bee has begun to move into regions of the country critical to the sustainability of the U.S. beekeeping industry. These areas are the wintering grounds for migratory beekeepers and the major source of bees purchased by northern beekeepers to replace winter losses. A weakened beekeeping industry affects beekeepers, growers, and the consumer; and the combined effects of these difficulties contribute to social stress in rural America and increase our dependence on foreign sources of food.

My response to the problems facing the U.S. beekeeping industry and the growers who rely on beekeepers for pollination services has been to evaluate several methods for the management of parasitic bee mites, evaluate methods to enhance the ability to breed mite- and pathogen-resistant bees, and to transfer the results of this research to beekeepers on a statewide and national level. This past year was focused on establishing a large population of bees for evaluation of several economically desirable traits, including mite resistance, hygienic behavior, wintering ability, and honey production. An evaluation of the methods used to make these evaluations will allow for a better estimate of a colony's breeding value, and the results of the evaluations themselves will form the basis for selecting breeding stock for a two-way, multi-trait selection program for mite and pathogen resistance/susceptibility, both in the context of good honey production. Mating number by queens is a key determinant of their quality. Samples from colonies assembled for stock evaluation were obtained and preserved and will be evaluated to determine the number of matings by honey bee queens in this population of commercial colonies. I also evaluated several sources of package bees with various claims regarding mite and pathogen resistance.

Results of previous studies have evaluated the efficacy of several chemical and nonchemical methods of managing mites. In the case of chemical methods, the optimal environmental conditions under which these products work have been investigated and identified. This information is currently being passed on to beekeepers; however, the methods evaluated provide only limited relief from the problem of parasitic mites and, due to economic and environmental limitations, cannot be adopted on a widespread basis as reliable treatments for mites. The breeding program is a long-term solution to the problems associated with honey bee parasites and pathogens and will require many years to make a significant impact on the industry.

Entomology

• Dr. Jeff Pettis (USDA ARS Bee Research Laboratory)
• Dr. Walter Sheppard (Washington State University)