Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included growers of pollinated crops, beekeepers involved in providing pollination services to agriculture and the queen production industry. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Outreach and reporting of results from this project were presented at several major regional beekeeping association meetings during this reporting period, including: California, Idaho and Oregon. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Novel honey bee germplasm previously collected from Turkey and Georga (summer 2014) and inseminated into US honey bee queens, was conserved in honey bee colonies during the final months of 2014 for use during the following bee season breeding effort. Fungal extracts continued to be evaluated for antiviral properties related to honey bee health. Analysis of beekeeper provided samples for pathogens and parasites was continuous throughout this reporting period.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Beekeepers, queen producers, queen breeders, growers, researchers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A visiting scientist from Armenia (Dr. Karen Avetisyn) conducted a training visit to the WSU honey bee laboratory and learned techniques related to instrumental insemination and queen breeding. A visiting scientist (professor) from Turkey (Dr. Irfan Kandemir) spent 2 months in the US conducting collaborative research at WSU and assisted with field work during our germplasm collecting trip in Turkey and Georgia. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Extensive information distribution of WSU research products was conducted through grower meetings, local, regional and national beekeepers association meetings, and the national meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Honey Bee genetic material was distributed through large scale queen producers and through small scale local and regional beekeepers associations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2014, novel honey bee germplasm was collected from honey bees in Turkey and Georgia and returned to the US for incorporation in the WSU honey bee breeding program. Aliquots of honey bee semen from these collections were also cryopreserved in the WSU honey bee germplasm repository. Experimental evaluation of mycological extracts for honey bee antiviral activity was conducted for 19 different fungi and several promising species were moved to large scale trials scheduled for 2015. WSU honey bee germplasm was provided to a number of commercial queen producers for propagation and distribution throughout the US.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Alburaki, M., Bertrand B, Legout, H., Moulin, S., Alburaki, A. Sheppard, W.S. and Garnery, L. 2014. A fifth major genetic group among honeybees revealed in Syria. BMC Genetics. 14:117.
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Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience includes growers of numerous crops, andbeekeepers involved in pollinating activities and in the production of queens for the beekeeping industry. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three graduate students (2 PhD, 1 MS) are being trained as a result of this project. In 2013, there were training opportunities for these graduate students as follows: 1) honey bee germplasm collection trip to Europe for cryopreservation and breeding program, 2) collaborative interaction with commercial queen producers in CA regarding maintenance and utilization of WSU collected honey bee germplasm and assessment of current US honey bee populations, and 3) partnership with a large commercial honey bee pollination operation in Washington and California in conducting applied research related to overwintering and breeding evaluations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Multiple oral presentations were made in 2013 to regional and state beekeeping associations in WA, ID, OR and CA; to grower associations (the Almond Board, Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission); and to international beekeepers groups (Italy, France). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In 2014, we will collect and import germplasm from 2 Old World subspecies and incorporate the material into our bee breeding program and cryopreserved material into the honey bee germplasm repository at WSU. We will conduct additional DNA screening of New and Old World populations to assess genetic diversity and evaluate the genetic impacts of the project on US populations. We will continue to provide honey bee breeding stock to US queen producers for distribution widely throughout the US, and will conduct comparative assessments of the different strains under US pollinating conditions.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2013, novel honey bee germplasm was collected from honey bees in Italy that were being maintained as a representative collection of honey bee genetic diversity of Italy. Both fresh and cryopreserved semen were collected, returned to the US, and used in a collaborative breeding program with commercial queen producers in California. Stocks of three honey bee subspecies (Italian, Carniolan and Caucasian) were distributed to queen producers and maintained in WSU apiaries. Production queens derived from these sources will be available to US beekeepers in 2014. Our distribution of Caucasian honey bees constitutes a reintroduction of a subspecies that has been unavailable for more than 30 years.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Washington State University, Entomology department website - listing available genetic strains of bees from the WSU bee breeding program. http://entomology.wsu.edu/apis/breeding-program/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Lawrence, T., W.S. Sheppard. 2013. Neonicotinoid Pesticides and Honey Bees. WSU Extension factsheet 122E
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Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2012, novel germplasm was collected from honey bees found in various locations throughout Italy. This collection represents substantial genetic diversity within this important honey bee subspecies used for agricultural pollination in Washington State and throughout the US. The semen was collected both fresh and in a cryopreserved state and returned to the US, where it was used to inseminate honey bee queens used as part of the Washington State University (WSU) honey bee breeding program and in collaboration with commercial queen producers in the western U.S. Honey bee stocks derived from imported germplasm of several subspecies (Italian, Carniolan, Caucasian) continued to be selected and produced at WSU for distribution to interested queen producers as part of a long term honey bee genetic improvement program. PARTICIPANTS: Washington State Beekeeping Association, Oregon State Beekeeping Association, Idaho Honey Producers Association, California State Beekeeping Association, California Bee Breeders Association, Almond Board TARGET AUDIENCES: Beekeepers, Queen producers, Pollination specialists, Agricultural producers of pollinated crops PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
WSU source honey bee genetic material was distributed throughout the PNW in 2012, both through direct distribution and through queen production at WSU-WSBA (Washington State Beekeepers Association) collaborative apiaries by local beekeeping associations. Current WSU stocks exhibited improved exhibition of the trait "hygienic behavior" associated with resistance to American Foulbrood infection. Seventy colonies headed by WSU program queens (WSU PNW selected stocks) were transported to California for use in 2012-2013 almond pollination and side by side comparisons with standard commercial stocks. Current commercial strains of "New World Carniolan" honeybees now contain a significant input of WSU imported Apis m. carnica germplasm conducted through instrumental insemination of NWC breeder queens.
Publications
- Hopkins B.K., C.Herr, W.Sheppard. 2012. Sequential generations of honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens produced using cryopreserved semen. Reproduction, Fertility, and Development. 24(8) 1079 (2012). DOI: 10.1071/RD11088
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2011, novel germplasm from two Old World honey bee subspecies was collected from honey bee populations in the Alps and the Caucasus mountain ranges in Slovenia and Georgia, respectively. The germplasm was returned to the US and used to instrumentally inseminate queens as part of the Washington State University (WSU) honey bee breeding program and for the re-establishment of A. m. caucasica, a subspecies currently unavailable in the U.S. Aliquots of all semen collections were also placed in cryogenic storage at WSU using newly developed methods for future breeding needs. In addition to the importation of germplasm, current WSU breeding stock was released to local WA and ID beekeeping associations for regional breeding efforts. Honey bee germplasm was also released to major western US queen producers as part of a longer term genetic improvement program. PARTICIPANTS: Washington State Beekeeping Association, Oregon State Beekeeping Association, Idaho Honey Producers, Montana State Honey Producers, California State Beekeeping Association, California Bee Breeders Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Beekeepers, queen producers, pollination specialists, agricultural producers of pollinated crops PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
WSU sourced honey bee genetic material was distributed throughout the PNW in 2011, both through direct distribution and through queen production at WSU-WSBA collaborative apiaries by local beekeeping associations. Current WSU honey bee stocks exhibited significantly improved levels of the trait "hygienic behavior", relative to standard commercial stocks. This trait has been shown to reduce colony susceptibility to a fatal contagious bacterial disease, American Foulbrood. In addition, stocks derived from the WSU bee breeding program exhibit improved adaptation to PNW conditions and improved tolerance to parasitic mites.
Publications
- Cobey, S. W., D. Tarpy, W. S. Sheppard. 2011. Breeding Practices and genetic diversity in U.S. honey bees. In Honey Bee Colony Health Issues, D. Sammataro, editor. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 302pp.
- Sheppard, W., and M.D.Smart. 2011. Nosema ceranae in age cohorts of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2010, work continued on the Washington State University (WSU) honey bee selection and breeding program. WSU-selected queens were distributed to WA beekeeper collaborators at five beekeeper association managed apiaries to promote statewide release of germplasm. Semen was collected from 2 Old World sources in 2010 (Italy, Georgia) and used to instrumentally inseminate queens for the WSU honey bee breeding program. Following USDA-APHIS permit requirements, germplasm was released to the beekeeping industry as part of a long-term genetic improvement program. The importation of germplasm from Caucasian honey bee (a cold-climate adapted subspecies from the Caucasus Mountains), represents the first step in re-introducing this formerly common honey bee to the US beekeeping industry. PARTICIPANTS: Washington State Beekeeping Association, Oregon State Beekeeping Association, Idaho Honey Producers, California State Beekeeping Association, Montana State Beekeeping Association, BC Beekeeping Association, California Bee Breeders Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Beekeepers, agriculture producers of pollinated crops, honey bee queen producers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Distribution of WSU-selected honey bee stocks to the PNW beekeeping community through WSU-WSBA collaborative apiaries resulted in the local production of several thousand honey bee queens for use by PNW beekeepers. These stocks are now undergoing further selection by beekeepers on a regional basis for adaptation to local conditions, and WSU queens are now being used to provide genetic diversity within these local breeding efforts. The WSU honey bee selection program has developed stocks that exhibit improved adaptation to PNW conditions, which express improved mite and disease resistance and require less chemical "treatment" for parasite control. Continuing efforts are underway to bolster genetic diversity in US honey bee populations through the controlled importation and release (through quarantine protocol) of honey bee germplasm from Old World source populations. Italian-derived honey bee germplasm from this project was made available to queen producers for stock improvement.
Publications
- Bourgeois, L., W. Sheppard, H.A. Sylvester and T.E. Rinderer. 2010. Genetic stock identification of Russian honey bees. Journal of Economic Entomology 103(3):917-924.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2009, work continued on the Washington State University (WSU) honey bee selection and breeding program. WSU-selected queens were distributed to WA beekeeper collaborators at five beekeeper association managed apiaries to promote statewide release of germplasm. Semen was collected from Old World sources (Italy, Germany) and used to instrumentally inseminate queens for the WSU honey bee breeding program. Following USDA-APHIS permit requirements, germplasm was released to the beekeeping industry as part of a longer term genetic improvement program. PARTICIPANTS: Washington State Beekeeping Association, Oregon State Beekeeping Association, Idaho Honey Producers, California State Beekeeping Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Beekeepers, agricultural producers of pollinated crops, honey bee queen producers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No modifications to report during this period
Impacts
Distribution of WSU-selected honey bee stocks to the PNW beekeeping community through WSU-WSBA collaborative apiaries resulted in the local production of several thousand honey bee queens for use by PNW beekeepers. These stocks are now undergoing further selection by beekeepers on a regional basis for adaptation to local conditions and WSU queens are now being used to provide genetic diversity within these local breeding efforts. The WSU honey bee selection program has developed stocks that exhibit improved adaptation to PNW conditions, which express improved mite and disease resistance and require less chemical "treatment" for parasite control. Continuing efforts are underway to bolster genetic diversity in US honey bee populations through the controlled importation and release (through quarantine protocol) of honey bee germplasm from Old World source populations.
Publications
- Delaney, D.A., M.Meixner, N.Schiff, and W.Sheppard. 2009. Genetic characterization of commercial honey bee (Hymoptera: Apidae) populations in the United states by using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 102(4):666-673.
- Haddad, N., M.Meixner, S.Fuchs, H.Migdadi, L.Garnery, and W.Sheppard. 2009. Mitochondrial DNA support for genetic reserves of Apis mellifera syriaca in Jordan. Journal of Apicultural Research. 48(1):19-22.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2008, work continued on the Washington State University (WSU) honey bee selection and breeding program with distinct maternal sub-lines. WSU selected queens were distributed to WA beekeeper collaborators at four beekeeper association managed apiaries to permit statewide germplasm release. Semen was collected from honey bee subspecies in Italy and Germany and used to instrumentally inseminate queens for the WSU honey bee breeding and selection program. Honey bee germplasm from these queens was released through an APHIS permit protocol to the queen breeding industry as part of a three year project (2008-2010). PARTICIPANTS: Washington State Beekeeping Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Beekeepers, Agricultural producers of pollinated crops PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Dissemination of WSU selected honey bee stocks to the WA beekeeping community through WSU-WSBA collaborative apiaries resulted in the production of honey bee queens for use by Pacific Northwest beekeepers. The selection program has resulted in improved Varroa mite tolerance in WSU honey bee stocks and reduced miticide use in WSU operations for parasitic mite control. The ability to maintain colonies without chemical miticides permits a major increase in selection pressure for mite resistance within the breeding population.
Publications
- Arias, M. C., D. Silvestre, F. O. Francisco, R. Weinlich and W. S. Sheppard. 2008. An oligonucleotide primer set for PCR amplification of the complete honey bee mitochondrial genome. Apidologie 39:475-480.
- Strange, J.P., L.G arnery, and W. Sheppard. 2008. Morphological and molecular characterization of the Landes honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) ecotype for genetic conservation. J. Insect Conservation. 12:527-537.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In 2006, continued Washington State University (WSU) honey bee selection and breeding program with 8 distinct maternal sublines. WSU honey bees tested in the fall of 2005 had mite levels below chemical treatment thresholds and less than 50% required treatment in 2006. Distributed WSU selected queens to WA beekeeper collaborators at 3 beekeeper association managed apiaries to permit statewide germplasm release. Set up large scale tests of WSU-selected honey bee stocks in two migratory commercial beekeeping operations. Developed protocols to make WSU genetic stock available statewide to beekeepers through additional WSU-WSBA breeding apiaries in 2007. Continued molecular analsyis of feral and commercial honey bee stocks and verified reduced genetic variability in US stocks due to genetic bottlenecks. Identified Old World honey bee germplasm for potential stock importations to the U.S.
PARTICIPANTS: M.D.Meixner, I. Kandemir, L. Garnery, J.P. Strange, D. Delaney, B. Horwath, S. Hapke, Washington State Beekeeper's Association.
TARGET AUDIENCES: beekeeper's, apiculturists, agricultural growers (fruit and vegetable)
Impacts
Dissemination of WSU selected honey bee stocks to the WA beekeeping community and establishment of a WSU-WSBA partnered approach to further stock releases resulted in the production of over 4000 honey bee queens for use by Pacific Northwest (PNW) beekeepers. The selection program appears to be responsible for improved Varroa mite tolerance in WSU honey bee stocks and has resulted in reduced miticide use in WSU operations for parasitic mite control. The ability to maintain our colonies without chemical miticides permits a major increase in selection pressure for mite resistance within the breeding population.
Publications
- Kandemir, I., A.M.Pinto, M.D.Meixner, and W.Sheppard. 2007. Is HinF-1 digestion of Cytochrome Oxidase I region a diagnostic test for A. m. lamarckii ?. Genetics and Molecular Biology 29(4):747-749.
- Miguel, I., M.Iriondo, L.Garnery, W.Sheppard, and A.Estonba. 2007. Gene flow within the M evolutionary lineage of Apis mellifera of the Pyranees, isolation by distance and post-glacial recolonization routes in Western Europe. Apidologie. 38:141-155.
- Pinto, A.M., W.Sheppard, J.L.Johnson, W.L.Rubink, J.Coulson, N.Schiff, I.Kandemir, and J.Patton. 2007. Honey bee (Hymenoptera:Apidae) of African origin exist in non-Africanized areas of the southern United States: Evidence from mitochondrial DNA. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 100:289-295.
- Strange, J.P., L.Garnery, and W.Sheppard. 2007. Persistence of the Les Landes ecotype of Apis mellifera mellifera in southwest France: confirmation of a locally adaptive annual brood cycle. Apidologie. 38:259-267.
- Ken, T., M.D.Meixner, S.Fuchs, Z.Xuan, H.Shaoyu, I.Kandemir, W.Sheppard, and N.Koeniger. 2007. Geographic distribution of the eastern honeybee, Apis cerana (Hymenoptera:Apidae) across ecological zones in China: morphological and molecular analyses. Systematics and Biodiversity. 5:1-10.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
In 2006, continued Washington State University (WSU) honey bee selection and breeding program with 8 distinct maternal sublines. WSU honey bees tested in the fall of 2005 had mite levels below chemical treatment thresholds and less than 50% required treatment in 2006. Distributed WSU selected queens to WA beekeeper collaborators at 3 beekeeper association managed apiaries to permit statewide germplasm release. Set up large scale tests of WSU-selected honey bee stocks in two migratory commercial beekeeping operations. Developed protocols to make WSU genetic stock available statewide to beekeepers through additional WSU-WSBA breeding apiaries in 2007. Continued molecular analsyis of feral and commercial honey bee stocks verified reduced genetic variability in US stocks due to genetic bottlenecks. Identified Old World honey bee germplasm for potential stock importations to the U.S.
Impacts
Dissemination of WSU selected honey bee stocks to the WA beekeeping community and establishment of a WSU-WSBA partnered approach to further stock releases resulted in the production of over 4000 honey bee queens for use by Pacific Northwest beekeepers. The selection program appears to be responsible for improved Varroa mite tolerance in WSU honey bee stocks and has resulted in reduced miticide use in WSU operations for parasitic mite control. The ability to maintain our colonies without chemical miticides permits a major increase in selection pressure for mite resistance within the breeding population.
Publications
- Kandemir, I., M.Kence, W.Sheppard, and A.Kence. 2006. Mitochondrial DNA variation in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations from Turkey. Journal of Apicultural Research. 45(1):33-38.
- Miguel, I., L.Garnery, M.Iriondo, W.Sheppard, and A.Estonba. 2006. Phylogeography of honey bees of the Iberian Peninsula. Apidologie. . Sequencing Consortium, and W.Sheppard. 2006. Insights into social insects from the genome of the honeybee Apis mellifera. Nature. 443:931-948.
- Whitfield, C.W., S.K.Behura, S.H.Berlocher, A.G.Clark, J.S.Johnson, W.Sheppard, D.R.Smith, A.V.Suarez, D.Weaver, and N.D.Tsutsui. 2006. Thrice out of Africa: Ancient and recent expansions of the honey bee, Apis mellifera.. Science. 314:642-645.
- Arias, M.C., T.E.Rinderer, and W.Sheppard. 2006. Further characterization of honey bees from the Iberian Peninsula by allozyme, morphometric and mtDNA haplotype analysis. Journal of Apicultural Research. 45(4):188-196.
- Kandemir, I., M.D.Meixner, A.Ozkan, and W.Sheppard. 2006. Genetic characterization of honey bee (Apis mellifera cypria, Pollman 1879) populations in Cyprus. Apidologie. 37:547-555.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
In 2005, continued WSU honey bee selection and breeding program with 8 distinct genetic lines. WSU honey bees tested in the fall of 2005 had mite levels below chemical treatment thresholds. Distributed WSU selected queens to WA beekeeper/collaborators and developed protcols to make WSU genetic stock available statewide to beekeepers through WSU-WSBA breeding apiaries in 2006. Continued molecular analsyis of commercial honey bee stocks and verified the existence of a genetic bottleneck related to current queen production practices.
Impacts
Dissemination of WSU selected honey bee stocks to the WA beekeeping community, establishment of a WSU-WSBA partnered approach to further stock releases. For the first time since honey bee parasitic mites were detected in WA state, WSU honey be colonies were not treated for mites due to low population levels in the fall. This may reflect significant progress in the goal to develop mite-resistant honey bees. The ability to maintain our colonies without chemical miticides represents a major increase in selection pressure for mite resistance within the breeding population.
Publications
- Arias, M. C. and W. S. Sheppard. 2005. Phylogenetic relationships of honey bees (Hymenoptera:Apinae:Apini) inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 37:25-35.
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