SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

[Participant]
[Minutes]

Accomplishments

1. high-resolution maps of the honey bee genome allowed us to target two key traits for Varroa mite resistance. A chromosomal region was mapped that influences mite-grooming behavior and other regions were mapped for Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH). Both of these traits are difficult to assay for in breeding programs and molecular markers for the genes could speed breeding for mite resistance. The region identified for grooming behavior included only 19 genes. These genes for hygienic behavior have been mapped as a quantitative trait loci (QTL). 2. quantified synergistic effects of miticides, other pesticides, and antimicrobials and found that many of the recommended miticides put in hives to control Varroa mite interact synergistically with other pesticides such as some fungicides to cause high levels of mortality. 3. local queen breeding has been initiated in both PA and IN 4. mechanism and genetic basis of Nosema pathogenicity&alters behavioral maturation, but not immune response in bee 5. demonstrated that Varroa mite reduces weight and the sugar content in their honey bee larval hosts. In addition, evidence was obtained suggesting that Varroa-infested pupae have reduced content of the key sulfur amino acid, methionine. 6. a novel route of exposure to the insecticide clothianidin was identified. Talc from planters expelled into the environment-contained concentrations of clothianidin a million times higher than the lethal dose (LD50) for honey bees (~3ng). As virtually all corn seed in the Midwest is treated, this represents hundreds of thousands of kilograms of this material entering the environment each year with high potential to expose bees. 7. pollen analysis and within-hive chemical properties showed that pyrethroids are a much greater threat than neonicotinoids as mortality agents of hone bees. 8. select inert ingredients that are incorporated as adjuvants in formulated pesticides have been found to be highly toxic to both adult and larval honey bees. This is highly significant since many of these inerts are used in broad classes of pesticides of which honey bees are exposed. 9. a NC Master Beekeeper Program (MBP) has been started. Its purpose is to provide valuable information to beekeepers and the public through various outreach services.

Impacts

  1. " beekeepers all over the U.S. are participating in a national FDA trial on using RNAi technology to control Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus in honey bee colonies. This particular study has laid the foundation for RNAi control of nosema and varroa (series of projects underway now) and may fundamentally change the strategies used to control pests and pathogens in honey bee colonies.
  2. " a comprehensive study of synergistic interactions between drugs and miticides used in beekeeping was completed and made available to beekeepers. The study provides beekeepers a research-based guide for avoiding harmful synergistic interactions when honey bees are exposed to more than one drug or miticide. The study also included how varroacides interact with selected fungicides applied to orchard crops.
  3. " the CAP project has focused on publishing a Best Management Practices guide, educational videos, and health bulletins for beekeepers at the eXtension.org site - a repository of peer-reviewed information at [ http://www.extension.org/bee_health ]
  4. " developed toxicology methodologies are being used by state, national, and international agencies that regulate the use of pesticides. For example, in 2011 I attended a SETAC Pellston Conference on pesticide risk assessments. During this conference, scientists, regulators, government officials, and industry representatives worked to standardize risk assessment measures for pesticides, thus affecting a change in pesticide registration.
  5. " Mid-west Extension efforts are underway to change planting methods of corn using talc in the planting box to minimize exposure to neonicotinoid seed treatments. This impact will have immediate effects on the way that corn growers in the mid-west plant corn. Also, public concern about the way corn is planted has led to a re-examination of the issue by the EPA.
  6. " because of our efforts and research the NC Master Beekeeping Program now has over 6,400 members and ~50% have been active (i.e., have shown some progress in their educational training) in the last 8 years. The active participants of the MBP have accounted for thousands of hours in volunteer time and services, promoting the value of honey bees to North Carolina agriculture and saving taxpayers an estimated $5.6M in extension-related activities since 2003. In addition to increasing the overall number of beekeepers in the state (see above), we have attracted dozens of large- and small-scale beekeepers to provide pollination services to NC growers.
  7. " the selection for mite-grooming behavior at Purdue benefitted from a partnership with the Indiana State Beekeepers Association and Clover Blossom Honey Company. Approximately 1,500 queens from the program were used in hives in Indiana. Coordination with local beekeeping associations aided distribution of queen cells. It will now be possible to expand the population base for selection and incorporate multiple resistance traits to decrease loss of hives from Varroa mite parasitism.
  8. grants - " 2010 "Behavioral, physiological and molecular effects of multiple factors impacting honey bee health". PDs: Christina Grozinger and Jim Tumlinson USDA-AFRI, $398,871. " 2010 Epigenetic gene regulation in the social bee, Apis mellifera. PDs: Soojin Yi and Michael Goodismen (Georgia Tech University), Co-PD: Christina Grozinger, NSF-MCB grant $260,779 (to Penn State).
  9. grants - " 2010 "Sustainable Solutions for Preserving Pollinator Health in East Africa". PDs: Jim Tumlinson, Jim Frazier, Maryann Frazier, Christina Grozinger, Harland Patch (Penn State) and Eluid Muli and Dan Masiga (icipe, Nairobi, Kenya) have received an NSF-BREAD Grant $397,181. " 2010 Exploring using RNAi as a method for controlling Varroa destructor. PDs: Huang, Z.Y. and Z. Xi. The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc, $14,850.
  10. grants - " 2010 Exploring using RNAi as a method for controlling Varroa destructor. PDs: Huang, Z.Y. and Z. Xi. National Honey Board, $20,190, " 2010 Exploring using RNAi as a method for controlling Varroa destructor. PDs: Huang, Z.Y. and Z. Xi. Almond Board of California, $17,000. " 2010 Toxicity of various pyrethroid insecticides to Varroa mites. PDs: Huang, Z.Y., K. Dong, Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs, MSU, $30,000.
  11. grants - " 2010 Effect of endoparasites, Nosema spp, on honey bee behavior and physiology, PD: Huang, Z.Y. Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs, MSU, $15,000. " 2010 Determining the Role of and Limiting Factors Facing Native Pollinators in Assuring Quality Apple Production in Pennsylvania; a Model for the Mid-Atlantic Tree Fruit Industry. PD  D. Biddinger & E. Rajotte, Co-PIs: M. Frazier, J. Schupp, D. Mortenson, J. Frazier, C. Mullin, T. Leslie, & M. Vaughn.  USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative 3-year Research & Extension Grant, $1,380,000.
  12. grants - " 2011 Pesticide nosema interactions across developmental stages of honey bees, PD: Huang, Z.Y. Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs, MSU, $12,000. " 2011 Are workers previously exposed as larvae to pesticides more susceptible to Nosema ceranae?, PD: Huang, Z.Y. 2011, National Honey Board, $13,080. " 2011. Field exposure to propiconazole fungicides in blueberry, PI: F. Drummond, Wyman & Sons, $10,000.
  13. grants - " 2011 Molecular and behavioral studies of host-parasite interactions in honey bees. PI: H. Holt. Mentor: C. Grozinger. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. $121,500. " 2011 Developing Information for Vegetable Growers on the Squash Bee and on Floral Resources for Pollinators. PI: K. Stoner, Natural Resource Conservation Service - CT office Conservation Improvement Grant. $75,000. " 2011 Quantifying routes of exposure of honeybees to neonicotinoid seed treatments of corn. PIs: Christian Krupke, Greg Hunt, and Brian Eitzer. NAPCC, $9,000.
  14. grants - " 2011 "Multifunctional cover crop cocktails for organic systems" PI Jason Kaye and Co-PIs M. Barbercheck, S. Cornelisse, T. DuPont, D. Hartman, M. Hautau, D. Luthe, D. Mortensen, M. Schipanski, and C. White, USDA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative Grant, $2,300,000. " 2011 Native Pollinators of Eastern Apple Orchards and How to Conserve Them. Northeast IPM Center IPM Partnership PD John Losey  Cornell University, PIs  Cornell  A. Agnello & M. Park, Penn State University  D. Biddinger & E. Rajotte. Northeast IPM Center IPM Partnership, $19,923.
  15. grants - " 2011 National Conservation Innovation Grant. PDs: David Biddinger and Ed Rajotte, USDA-NRCS in partnership with the Xerces Society, $45,000. " 2011 Honey bee toxic interactions with formulation inerts and pesticide residues frequently found in U.S. apiaries. PDs: Mullin, C. A.; Frazier, J. L.; Frazier, M. T., USDA/AFRI Competitive Grant, $297,000.

Publications

Aronstein, K., A. Averill, F. Drummond, B. Eitzer, J. D. Ellis, N. Ostiguy, S. Sheppard, M. Spivak, and K. Visscher. 2010. A peek at the distribution of viruses in stationary honey bee colonies in the U.S. American Bee Journal 150(4):132. Chen, Y.P., and Z.Y. Huang. 2010. Nosema ceranae, a newly identified pathogen of Apis mellifera in the U.S. and Asia. Apidologie 41: 364-374. Huang, Z.Y. 2010. Honey bee nutrition. American Bee Journal 150: 773-776. Huang, Z.Y. 2010. Honey bee nutrition. Bee Culture 138: (9) 22-26. Huang, Z.Y. 2010. Honey bee nutrition. http://www.extension.org/pages/Honey_Bee_Nutrition Mullin, C. A., M. Frazier, J. L. Frazier, S. Ashcraft, R. Simonds, D. vanEngelsdorp, and J.S. Pettis. 2010. High levels of miticides and agrochemicals in North American apiaries: Implications for honey bee health. PLoS ONE 5:1-19 e9754. Ostiguy, N. 2010. Managed Pollinator CAP Coordinated Agricultural Project: Sustainable Beekeeping. American Bee Journal 150(2):149-152. vanEngelsdorp D, N. Speybroeck, J. D. Evans, B. K. Nguyen, C. Mullin, M. Frazier, J. Frazier, D. Cox-Foster, Y. Chen, D. R. Tarpy, E. Haubruge, J. S. Pettis, and C. Saegerman. 2010. Weighing risk factors associated with bee Colony Collapse Disorder by Classification and Regression Tree Analysis. J. Econ. Entomol. 103(5):1517-1523. Fan, Y., F. J. Richard, C. Rouf, and C. M. Grozinger. 2010. Effects of queen mandibular pheromone on nestmate recognition in worker honey bees (Apis mellifera). Animal Behavior 79(3):649-6. Frazier, M., E. Muli, T. Conklin, D. Schmehl, B. Torto, J. Frazier, J. Tumlinson, J. Evans, and S. Raina. 2010. A scientific note on Varroa destructor found in East Africa; threat or opportunity Apidologie 41:453-465. Johnson, R. M., M. D. Ellis, C. A. Mullin, and M. Frazier. 2010. Pesticides and honey bee toxicity -U.S.A. Apidologie 41:312-331. Williams, G. R., D. R. Tarpy, D. Vanengelsdorp, M. P. Chauzat, D. L. Cox-Foster, K. S. Delaplane, P. Neumann, J. S. Pettis, R. E. Rogers, and D. Shutler. 2010. Colony Collapse Disorder in context. Bioessays. 2010 Aug 20. Epub. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bies.201000075. Solter, L.F. 2010. Microsporidia: Friend, Foe (And Intriguing Creatures). American Bee Journal 150, 1147-1149. Shpigler, H., H. M. Patch, M. Cohen, Y. Fan, C. M. Grozinger, and G. Bloch. 2010. The transcription factor Kruppel homolog 1 is linked to hormone mediated social organization in bees. BMC Evol. Biol. 10:120. Singh, R., A. L. Levitt, E. G. Rajotte, E. C. Holmes, N. Ostiguy, D. vanEngelsdorp, W. I. Lipkin, C. W. Depamphilis, A. L. Toth, and D. L. Cox-Foster. 2010 . RNA viruses in hymenopteran pollinators: evidence of inter-Taxa virus transmission via pollen and potential impact on non-Apis hymenopteran species. PLoS One 5(12):e14357. Corman, S. R., M. C. Schatz, S. J. Johnston, Y. P. Chen, J. Pettis, G. Hunt, L. Bourgeois, C. Elsik, D. Anderson, C. M. Grozinger, and J. D. Evans. 2010. Genomic survey of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, a major pest of the honeybee Apis mellifera. BMC Genomics 11:602. Eitzer, B., F. Drummond, J. D. Ellis, N. Ostiguy, K. Aronstein, W. S. Sheppard, K. Visscher, D. Cox-Foster, and A. Averill. 2010. Pesticide analysis at the stationary apiaries. American Bee Journal 150(5):500. Solter, L.F. and Huang, W-F. 2010. Sweeter than honey: Honey bee health. INHS Reports, Summer Issue No. 404 Ciarlo, T., J. Frazier, and C. Mullin. 2010. Inert ingredients in pesticides may impair foraging behavior in honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica). In: Entomology 2010, 58th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA. (D0230 Poster Abstract) Hunt GJ, Breeding bees for resistance to parasites and diseases. 2010. Am Bee J 150(7):667-669. Aronstein, K.A., Murray, K.D. 2010. Chalkbrood disease in honey bees. J. Invertebr. Pathol.103:20-29. Aronstein, K.A., .Daniel Murray, K.D., Saldivar, E. 2010. Transcriptional responses in Honey Bee larvae infected with Chalkbrood fungus. BMC Genomics, 11:391. Aronstein, K. A. 2010. Detect Nosema Parasite in Time to Save Bee Colonies. 2009. Am. Bee J.150 (1): 63-65. Aronstein, K. A. 2010. Detect Nosema Parasite in Time. Bee Culture, Feb: 19-21. Grozinger, C. M. and G. E. Robinson. 2010. Sociogenomics. In: Breed, M. and J. Moore (eds.) Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. Oxford: Elsevier Press. pp. 2672. Grozinger, C. M. 2010. Genomic approaches to behavioral ecology and evolution. In: Westneat. D. F. and Fox, C. W. (eds.) Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology. New York City. Oxford University Press pp. 488-505. Hunter, W., J. Ellis, D. vanEngelsdorp, J. Hayes, D. Westervelt, E. Glick, M. Williams I. Sela, E. Maori, J. Pettis, D. Cox-Foster, and N. Paldi. 2010. Large-scale field application of RNAi technology reducing Israeli acute paralysis virus disease in honey bees. (Apis mellifera, Hymenoptera: Apidae). PLoS Pathog. 6(12):e1001160. Kocher, S. D., J. F. Ayroles, E. A. Stone, and C. M. Grozinger. 2010. Individual variation in pheromone response correlates with reproductive traits and brain gene expression in worker honey bees. PLoS One 5(2):e9116. Kocher, S. D., D. R. Tarpy, and C. M. Grozinger. 2010. The effects of mating and instrumental insemination on queen honey bee flight behaviour and gene expression. Insect Mol. Biol. 19(2):153-62. Bahn, D. G. 2011. Qualitative analysis of effects of formulation additives on metabolism of chlorothalonil in honeybees. Honors Thesis, Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College, University Park, PA. 45 pp. Seeley, T.D. 2011. Die Weisheit des Schwarms. Deutsches Bienen-Journal (May): Seeley, T.D. 2011. House hunting by honey bees. Bee Craft (May): 9-13. Seeley, T.D. 2011. House hunting honey bees. Northern Woodlands (Summer): 28-31 Ciarlo, T. J., C. A. Mullin, and J. L. Frazier. 2011. Pesticide adjuvants and inert ingredients may impair foraging behavior in honey bees (Apis mellifera). In: Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch 82nd Annual Meeting, Harrisburg, PA, p. 37. (Poster Abstract #9) Frazier, J. L., M. T. Frazier, C. A. Mullin, and W. Zhu. 2011. Does the reproductive ground plan hypothesis offer a mechanistic basis for understanding honey bee health? In: American Bee Research Conference, Galveston, TX. Amer. Bee J. 151(5): 510. (Abstract) Frazier, J., C. Mullin, M. Frazier, and S. Ashcraft. 2011. Managed Pollinator CAP Coordinated Agricultural Project: Pesticides and their involvement in Colony Collapse Disorder. Amer. Bee J. 151(8): 779-784. Mullin, C. A., T. J. Ciarlo, W. Zhu, M. T. Frazier, and J. L. Frazier. 2011. Analyzing pesticide formulation adjuvants to assess their impact on pollinator health. In: Analytical Challenges for Crop Protection Products Symposium, AGRO 10, 242nd ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO. Picogram 80:82. (Abstract) Mullin, C. A., J. L. Frazier, M. T. Frazier, and T. J. Ciarlo. 2011. A primer on inerts and honey bees. In: American Bee Research Conference, Galveston, TX. Amer. Bee J. 151(5): 513. (Abstract) Hunt GJ, Shenefield D, Given K, Tsuruda J. 2011. An update on breeding efforts in Indiana. Bee Culture Nov. 25-31. Andino GK, Hunt GJ. 2011. A scientific note on a new assay to measure honeybee mite-grooming behavior. Apidologie 42:481-484. Aronstein, K.A., Eduardo Saldivar, E., Webster. T.C. 2011. Evaluation of Nosema ceranae spore-specific polyclonal antibodies. Journal of Apicultural Research 50(2): 145-151. Aronstein K A, and Adamczyk, J. 2011. Influence of Genomics: The Post Genomic Era in the Honey Bee Research. . The Journal of the Texas Beekeepers Association. 11(1): 12-17. Webster, T and Aronstein, K.A. (ed. Samataro). 2011. Honey Bee Colony Health: Challenges and Sustainable solutions (ed. Diana Sammataro): CRP Press, Taylor and Francis, LLC Chapter 10 "Nosema ceranae Detection by Microscopy and Antibody Tests", pp.115-120. Aronstein, K.A., H.E. Cabanillas, H.E. (ed. Samataro) 2011. Book:"Honey Bee Colony Health: Challenges and Sustainable solutions", CRP Press, Taylor and Francis, LLC Chapter 11"Chalkbrood re-examined", pp. 121-130. Aronstein, K. A., Oppert, B and Lorenzen, M.D. (ed. Paula Grabowski). 2011. Book "RNA Processing", Book Chapter 8: RNAi in the agriculturally important arthropods, in RNA Processing. InTech, pp157-180. Abbot, P., J. Abe, J. Alcock, and C. M. Grozinger, et al. 2011. Nature 471:7339. Bahn, D. G. 2011. Qualitative analysis of effects of formulation additives on metabolism of chlorothalonil in honeybees. Bloch, G., and C. M. Grozinger. 2011. Social molecular pathways and the evolution of bee societies. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. Biol. Sci. 366:1574:2155-70. Frazier, J., C. Mullin, M. Frazier, and S. Ashcraft. 2011. Managed Pollinator CAP Coordinated Agricultural Project: Pesticides and their involvement in Colony Collapse Disorder. Amer. Bee J. 151(8):779-784. Fussnecker, B. L., A. M. McKenzi, and C. M. Grozinger. 2011. cGMP modulates responses to queen mandibular pheromone in worker honey bees. J Comp. Physiol. A Neuroethol. Sens. Neural Behav. Physiol. 197(9):939-48. Nino, E. L., D. R. Tarpy, and C. Grozinger. 2011. Genome-wide analysis of brain transcriptional changes in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) queens exposed to carbon dioxide and physical manipulation. Insect Mol Biol. 20(3):387-98. Richard, F. J., C. Schal, D. R. Tarpy, and C. M. Grozinger. 2011. Effects of instrumental insemination and insemination quantity on Dufour's gland chemical profiles and vitellogenin expression in honey bee queens (Apis mellifera). J. Chem Ecol. 37(9):1027-36. Tokarz, R., C. Firth, C. Street, D. L. Cox-Foster, and W. I. Lipkin. 2011. Lack of evidence for an association between Iridovirus and colony collapse disorder. PLoS One 6(6):e21844. Delaplane, K.S. 2011. Integrated pest management in Varroa. In Varroa - Still a Problem in the 21st Century? International Bee Research Association, Cardiff, UK, pp. 43-51 Delaplane, K.S. 2011. Understanding the impact of honey bee disorders on crop pollination. In Honey bee colony health (D. Sammataro and J.A. Yoder, eds.). CRC Press, pp. 223-228
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