Beekeepers in the United States suffered a record loss of over 55% of their managed colonies last year, marking the highest rate of decline since tracking began in 2011, according to the Apiary Inspectors of America. This sharp rise in losses highlights the growing challenges faced by the beekeeping industry and its impact on pollination services vital to agriculture.
A recent study led by Samantha Alger, director of the Vermont Bee Lab at the University of Vermont (UVM), introduces a promising method to address the problem. Published in Frontiers in Bee Science, the research presents a novel approach to testing hygienic behavior in honey bees, which could lead to breeding more disease-resistant colonies in the future.
“In the 1980s, beekeepers lost 10-12% of their colonies annually. Now, it’s more like 30-50%. This is unsustainable for the industry,” says Alger, the study’s lead author. “Imagine the same happening to cattle or pig farmers every year.”
Despite the significant losses, honey bee populations remain relatively stable, largely due to the efforts of beekeepers who breed new colonies. However, this solution comes at a cost—both in terms of time and resources for beekeepers and a potential risk to wild bee populations. Pathogens carried by managed honey bees can spill over into wild bee populations, posing a threat to biodiversity.
Alger’s lab collaborates with beekeepers to breed hardy, disease-resistant honey bee colonies. Part of this process involves identifying colonies that exhibit hygienic behavior, which refers to their ability to detect and remove unhealthy brood—an essential trait for preventing the spread of disease.
“The goal is to have bees that can handle diseases on their own, rather than relying on chemical treatments that may harm the bees in the long run,” explains Alger. “But the challenge for beekeepers is identifying colonies with the best hygienic behavior.”
Alger’s team recently studied a screening tool called UBeeO, developed by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The test works by mimicking the pheromones of sick or dying bees, allowing beekeepers to assess the hygienic behavior of their colonies. The study found that the UBeeO test successfully identified colonies that were resistant to multiple pests and pathogens, including Vairimorpha (commonly known as Nosema) and fungal infections such as chalkbrood, which are major threats to bee populations.
“UBeeO has previously been used to identify colonies that resist Varroa mites, but our research expanded its use to other pests and pathogens,” says Alger. “This new method offers beekeepers a tool to select for colonies that are more resilient to a broader range of stressors.”
The findings offer hope for the future of honey bee health and may help mitigate some of the challenges facing beekeepers. As honey bee populations continue to face mounting pressure, tools like UBeeO could become key in ensuring the survival of these crucial pollinators.
Related Topics
