NCR202: Health and Survival of Honey Bee Colonies
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NCR202: Health and Survival of Honey Bee Colonies
Duration: 10/01/2001 to 09/30/2006
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Honey bees are the primary pollinating insect in North America. The value of the increased crop yield and quality achieved by honey bees is estimated at $14.6 billion (Morse and Calderone, 2000). The value of commercial crops directly pollinated by bees (almonds, apples, cranberries, alfalfa and vegetable seed, etc.) is estimated at $5.8 billion annually. Nearly $9 billion worth of agricultural goods indirectly benefit from pollinating bees (e.g., alfalfa hay, meat, and milk). In addition, honey bees make a significant contribution to enhancing the environment by pollinating wildflowers, home gardens and ornamentals (Buchmann and Nabham, 1996).
Two parasitic mite pests of honey bees were introduced into the US: the tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, in 1984; and the varroa mite, Varroa jacobsoni, in 1987. These mites have had a devastating effect on honey bee colonies and beekeeping businesses throughout the US. Control measures for the mites have dramatically increased operating costs for beekeepers. Feral colonies (living in trees and abandoned structures) have been virtually eliminated by the mites, placing enormous pressure on the beekeeping industry to cope with the challenges of pollination and honey production. With the reduction of feral colonies, more growers throughout the nation are seeking out beekeepers to transport managed colonies into their fields and orchards. However, mites and economic pressures on beekeepers have resulted in a decline in national honey bee colony counts from an 4.3 million in 1985 to 2.6 million in 1998 (National Agriculture Statistics Service, 1999).
To control tracheal and varroa mites, beekeepers use in-hive pesticides and other compounds. Tracheal mite infestations are reduced by applications of menthol crystals within the hive, however, menthol has limited effectiveness in cold climates. Resistant bee stocks are becoming available for controlling tracheal mites. Since 1990, one product has been registered to control Varroa mites, a synthetic pyrethroid, fluvalinate (ApistanR
). Mite populations became resistant to fluvalinate in Italy (Lodesani et al. 1995), and in 1997, fluvalinate resistance was discovered in the United States (Baxter et al, 1998; Elzen et al, 1998, 2000). The organophosphate coumaphos (Check Mite +R
) recently received Section 18 registration status for use in cases where the mites are resistant to fluvalinate. In-hive use of these pesticides could contaminate honey, beeswax, and pollen. It is urgent to develop an integrated and sustainable approach to mite control through education of beekeepers and research on alternative methods.
Recently, another problem emerged. The most virulent bee brood disease is American foulbrood, caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. The disease leaves highly infectious, long-lived spores in the combs in the hive. For the last 50 years, this disease has been controlled by the use of one antibiotic, Terramycin. However, in 1996 and 1997, strains of bacteria were found in the Upper Midwest that were not inhibited by the antibiotic. The extent of the problem is not yet known, but if not contained, colony mortality could be severe.
The North Central Region contains the 3rd, 4rth, and 5th largest honey producing states. Special problems in survival of honey bee colonies during cold winters are unique to this region. Beekeepers typically operate on narrow profit margins and are leaving the business at a time when needs for pollination have increased due to the loss of feral colonies. Regional coordination is needed in research and extension efforts in this area.
Objectives
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Implement integrated pest management strategies to reduce disease and parasitic mite injury to honey bee colonies.
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Develop and improve honey bee stocks through selective breeding.
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Educate the public and growers on the value and protection of honey bees as pollinators.
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Facilitate the improvement of honey bee management through extension and outreach.
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Procedures and Activities
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- <b>Objective I</B>. Resistance management plans will be developed for protecting the efficacy of chemical tools used in beekeeping. These will rely on coordination of survey efforts to determine the extent of populations of Varroa mites resistant to fluvalinate and of American foulbrood bacteria resistant to Terramycin. Molecular techniques may be useful for determining the mode of resistance of mites to fluvalinate. Economic injury levels and thresholds will be developed and used in published management recommendations. Alternative products will be evaluated for controlling Varroa mites (aromatic oil derivatives) and American foulbrood (antibioitics).</P>
- <B>Objective II</B>. We will evaluate and promote the use of honey bee stocks showing tolerance to Varroa mites. Promising stocks have been identified with different mechanisms of resistance, including a behavioral trait known as hygienic behavior that causes bees to remove mite-infested pupae from the comb, and an undetermined mechanism that prevents mites from reproducing successfully on worker brood. Stocks with mite tolerance will be shared among the participating states to maintain genetic diversity. Basic research on genetics of mite tolerance will be shared prior to publication. Technology transfer to bee breeders will be accomplished by providing annual workshops and short courses for beekeepers and breeders in participating states. This will include stock evaluation and artificial insemination techniques. This should result in transfer of stocks to the beekeepers that are most able to maintain the lines.</P>
- <B>Objective III</B>. In regards to pollination needs, We will 1) Attempt to develop ways to estimate the value of honey bee pollination. 2) Educate growers on the efficient use honey bee as pollinators. 3) Promote and research judicious pesticide use in order to protect remaining honey bee pollinators, and 4) Keep the public informed about the relationship between beekeepers and growers. Key to this area will be research-based pollination and pesticide-use recommendations, extension of recommendation by participation in grower meetings and cooperation in the development of fact-sheets, videos, web pages and commodity journal articles. A survey will be used to assess the relationship between growers and pollinators.</P>
- <B>Objective IV</B>. Sharing of extension materials will be coordinated among participating states. We will coordinate regional workshops. We expect to produce the following regional publications: </P>
- Disease and pest management and control techniques.</LI><LI>Successful wintering of bee colonies specifically tailored to the northern region.</LI><LI>Pollination requirements, and pesticide-use recommendations that help protect honey bee pollinators, specific to the crops and climate of the North Central Region</LI><LI>A report, in national and regional trade journals and to introduce the NCR Apiculture group and its purpose.</LI> </ul>
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
Organization/Governance
The recommended Standard Governance for multistate research activities include the election of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers are to be elected for at least two-year terms to provide continuity. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.
Literature Cited
Baxter, J. Eischen, F. Pettis, J. Wison, WT. Shimanuki, H. 1998. Detection of fluvalinateresistant Varroa mites in U.S. honey bees, Am. Bee J. 138: 291.
Buchman, S. L., Nabham, G. P. 1996. The Forgotten Pollinators. Island Press: Washington, D.C.
Elzen, P.J., Eischen, F.A., Baxter, J.R., Pettis, J., Elzen, G.W., Wilson, W.T. 1998. Fluvalinate-resistance in Varroa jacobsonii from several geographic locaitons. Am. Bee J. 138: 674-676.
Elzen, P.J., Baxter, J.R., Spivak, M., Wilson, W.T. 2000. Control of Varroa jacobsoni Oud. resistant to fluvalinate and amitraz using coumaphos. Apidologie 31: 437-441.
Lodesani, M., A. Pellacani, S. Bergomi, E. Carpana, T. Rabitti, and P. Lasagni. 1992. Residue determination from some products used against Varroa infestation in bees. Apidologie 23: 257-272.
Morse, R.A., Calderone, N.W. 2000. The value of honey bees as pollinators of U.S. crops in 2000. Bee Cult. 128(3): 2-15.
National Agricultural Statistics Service, 1999. Honey Report, February. USDA, Washington, D.C. (http://www.usda.gov/nass/).