Managed Pollinator CAP Updates

An Update on Bee Breeding Efforts in Indiana: Breeding for Resistance to Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus

The Hunt Lab at Purdue University has developed a practical selection criteria to breed honey bees for mite resistance. Grooming behavior (mite biting bees) is another selectable resistance trait, like Hygienic Behavior and Varroa Sensitive Hygiene. The Hunt lab has also recently investigated other traits for resistance to disease like Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV). Although IAPV resistance can be selected for, it may not be a selection criteria bee breeders can reasonably incorporate. Grooming behavior, however, is appearing to be a practical and effective selection measure. Learn more at An Update on Bee Breeding Efforts in Indiana: Breeding for Resistance to Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus

Miticide and Fungicide Interactions

What veterinary drugs are your bees taking? Can these drugs negatively interact with each other or chemicals in the environment? Yes, they can. Dr. Reed Johnson explains these interactions and  recommendations, like not treating with multiple miticides at the same time, see Miticide and Fungicide Interactions.

Broodmapper: Honey Bee Development and Citizen Science

To determine those miticide and fungicide interactions, there is an online bee hive inspection game you can play. As Wikipedia says, "Crowdsourcing is the act of sourcing tasks traditionally performed by specific individuals to a group of people or community (crowd) through an open call". Consider this your call. Learn more at Broodmapper: Honey Bee Development and Citizen Science.

Effects of Nosema on Honey Bee Behavior and Physiology

Dr. Zachary Huang gives a detailed compare and contrast for Nosema species found in honey bees. Which species is troubling your bees? See Effects of Nosema on Honey Bee Behavior and Physiology

Bee Informed Partnership

The Bee Informed Partnership blog and homepage (beeinformed.org) has a new look! The template has been redesigned for a more original and intuitive look. The blogging team of 9 reached over 120 blog posts in December 2012, which is enjoying a growing viewership (about 7,600 views per month). You can follow the blog posts through the RSS feed or follow the Facebook fan page for Bee Health eXtension, which includes these blog posts along with other Bee Health content on eXtension.org

On the Calendar

American Bee Research Conference

The American Association of Professional Apiculturists (AAPA) will conduct the 2012 American Bee Research Conference (ABRC) at APHIS Headquarters, Riverdale, MD from February 7-8, 2012. This is near the USDA-ARS bee lab at Beltsville, MD. Our meeting will be held together with the annual meetings of the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA). The purpose of the ABRC is to provide an opportunity for scientists to present their current work to those present as well as to a worldwide audience via the American Bee Journal.

A New Link: BEES

BEES: Beekeeper Education and Engagement System

BEES: Beekeeper Education and Engagement System is a new, online Moodle course by Dr. David Tarpy with the the North Carolina State University Apiculture Program. Multiple levels of courses are being developed, with three avaliable now. Beekeepers are encouraged to consider the online learning environment Dr. Tarpy has developed.

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