SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AFFECTING HONEY BEE HEALTH

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0211490
• Project Start Date: Jul 1, 2007
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2009
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
CLEMSON,SC 29634

Performing Department
School of Agricultural, Forest, & Environmental Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Certain apicultural pests and disease contribute to declining honey bee health in the US. Certain apicultural practices will minimize stress conditions in honey bees. The purpose of this project is to help mitigate current honey bee management problems.

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

50%

Developmental

50%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
721	3010	1130	100%

Knowledge Area
721 - Insects and Other Pests Affecting Humans;

Subject Of Investigation
3010 - Honey bees;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

honey bees

honey bee pests

varroa mites

small hive beetles

best managment practices

environmental chemicals

honey bee nutrition

honey bee health

treatment thresholds

Goals / Objectives
(1) To determine region-specific economic thresholds for parasitic mites (including the development of standardized sampling methodology) to enable beekeepers to minimize economic damage due to reduced honey production and colony survival. (2) To develop and recommend to beekeepers best practices for varroa mite control based on currently available methods and strategies for mite management. (3) To evaluate the role and causative mechanisms of parasitic mites and pathogens such as viruses, protozoa and bacteria in colony deaths. (4) To determine the effects of environmental chemicals and miticides on colony health. (5) To determine how environmental factors, including nutrition, climate and management practices affect colony health. (6) To determine the effects of interactions among various factors affecting colony health. (7) To coordinate research and extension efforts related to colony health.

Project Methods
Investigations will be made to cooperate with other bee scientists to develop or modify existing treatment thresholds for honey bee pests in the region and publish recommendations through pesentations at meetings or written leaflets for distribution to beekeepers in South Carolina. Work with others in developing a list of best management practices for honey bee pests especially varooa mites and small hive beetles and make recommendations to beekeepers through the South Carolina Master Beekeeper Program. Work to determine the role nosema plays in honey bee colony health. Investigate the role of environmental chemicals, including nutrition on honey bee health.

Progress 07/01/07 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Attended the NC 508 annual meetings in Sacramento, California and Gainesville, Florida on 10 January 2008 and 5 February 2009, respectively. Served as secretary of NC 508 in 2008 and submitted annual meeting minutes to CSREES. Gave reports and updates on my research projects at the 2008 and 2009 meetings. At the 2008 meeting, I gave research updates on 1. small hive beetle IPM, 2. risk of feeding pollen substitute patties to bee colonies in winter when small hive beetles are present, 3. an investigation comparing small hive beetle trapping in the top and bottom of beehives, and 4. nosema survey in South Carolina in cooperation with Tom Webster at Kentucky State University. At the 2009 meeting, I gave research updates on 1. pesticide sub-lethal dose effects on honey bee colony health, 2. field investigations of the Freeman small hive beetle trap, and 3. nosema survey in South Carolina in cooperation with Tom Webster at Kentucky State University. First year report of the CAP rapid response activity was given at the 2009 annual meeting. PARTICIPANTS: Zachary Huang (Michigan State Univ.), Jerry Hayes (Florida Dept of AGRIC.), Nancy Ostiguy (Penn State Univ.), Dennis vanEngelsdorp (Penn State Univ.), Greg Hunt (Purdue Univ.), Maryann Frazier (Penn State Univ.), Jeff Pettis ( USDA), George Hamilton (Rutgers Univ.), Ann Averill (Univ. of Massachusetts), Jim Tew (Ohio State Univ.), Tom Webster (Kentucky State Univ.), Steve Sheppard (Washington State Univ.), Kate Aronstein (USDA), Michael Embrey (Univ. of Maryland), Frank Drummond (Univ. of Maine), John Skinner (Univ. of Tenneesee), Frank Eishen (USDA), Keith Delaplane (Univ. of Georgia), Jim Young (Oregon State Univ.), Marion Ellis (Univ. of Nebraska), Marla Spivak (Univ. of Minnesota), Mike Hood (Clemson University). TARGET AUDIENCES: US beekeeping industry, non-Apis managers, and US crop growers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Met with other apicultural research scientists to discuss individual programs and initiatives making us more aware of each other's research priorities. I came away from each of these meetings with a better understanding of the scope and direction of apiculture research in the US. Came away from the annual 2009 with a good understanding of the first year results of the CAP rapid response activity. This 2 year project allows me to be an effective conduit for current apicultural research information to South Carolina beekeepers.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Attended the NC 508 annual meeting in Sacremento, California on 10 January 2008. As secretary of NC 508, I took minutes of the 2008 annual meeting and forwarded them to CSREES. Gave report and update on my research projects including 1. small hive beetle IPM project, 2. risk of feeding pollen substitute patties to bee colonies in winter when small hive beetles are present 3. an investigation comparing small hive beetle trapping in the top and bottom of beehives, and 4. nosema survey in South Carolina in cooperation with Tom Webster at Kentucky State University. PARTICIPANTS: Zachary Huang (Michigan State Univ.), Jerry Hayes (Florida Dept of AGRIC.), Nancy Ostiguy (Penn State Univ.), Dennis vanEngelsdorp (Penn State Univ.), Greg Hunt (Purdue Univ.), Maryann Frazier (Penn State Univ.), Jeff Pettis ( USDA), George Hamilton (Rutgers Univ.), Ann Averill (Univ. of Massachusetts), Jim Tew (Ohio State Univ.), Tom Webster (Kentucky State Univ.), Steve Sheppard (Washington State Univ.), Kate Aronstein (USDA), Michael Embrey (Univ. of Maryland), Frank Drummond (Univ. of Maine), John Skinner (Univ. of Tenneesee), Frank Eishen (USDA), Keith Delaplane (Univ. of Georgia), Jim Young (Oregon State Univ.), Marion Ellis (Univ. of Nebraska), Marla Spivak (Univ. of Minnesota) TARGET AUDIENCES: US beekeeping industry, non-Apis managers, and US crop growers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Met with other research scientists to discuss individual programs and initiatives making us more aware of research conducted in the USA. Discussed research proposal for CAP rapid response activity related to colony collapse disorder.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Annual meeting held at Hyatt Rosemont Hotel in Chicago, Ill. on 13 August 2007. Individual reports given. Discussed funding opportunities available relative to colony collapse disorder. Meeting held 24-25 October 2007 to address a CAPS funded rapid response research inititive (critical agricultural issue). Discussed outline and plans for a proposed research project to be submitted in February 2008. PARTICIPANTS: American Association of Professional Apiculturists, Zachary Huang (Michigan State Univ.), Jerry Hayes (Florida Dept of AGRIC.), Nancy Ostiguy (Penn State Univ.), Dennis vanEngelsdorp (Penn State Univ.), Greg Hunt (Purdue Univ.), Maryann Frazier (Penn State Univ.), Jeff Pettis ( USDA), George Hamilton (Rutgers Univ.), Ann Averill (Univ. of Massachusetts), Jim Tew (Ohio State Univ.), Tom Webster (Kentucky State Univ.), Steve Sheppard (Washington State Univ.), Kate Aronstein (USDA), Michael Embrey (Univ. of Maryland), Frank Drummond (Univ. of Maine), John Skinner (Univ. of Tenneesee), Frank Eishen (USDA), Keith Delaplane (Univ. of Georgia), Jim Young (Oregon State Univ.), Marion Ellis (Univ. of Nebraska), Marla Spivak (Univ. of Minnesota) TARGET AUDIENCES: US beekeeping industry in their management of honey bees and related insect pollinators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Committee provides more regional and national focus on apicultural research and grantsmanship. Critical issues can be better addressed by a group of specialists than by individuals working alone.

Impacts
Met with other research scientists to discuss individual programs and initatives making us more aware of research being conducted in the US. Planned research proposal for CAPS rapid response activity related to colony collapse disorder.

Publications

• No publications reported this period