Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The primary objective is to demonstrate that mite-resistant honey bee stocks (Russian bees and varroa sensitive hygiene bees) reduce beekeeping management costs and increase colony survivorship. This objective builds on earlier results of the value of resistant bees by now focusing on bees used in migratory pollination of almonds and other crops. Additional objectives will be to improve management of resistant stocks to enhance profitability in pollination beekeeping, and to investigate molecular aspects of mite resistance and stress associated with moving bees. Approach (from AD-416): Resistant stocks will be established in commercial operations of cooperating beekeepers and monitored through annual cycles of movement to crops, and to sites of honey production and overwintering. Infestations of varroa and tracheal mites will be monitored in these colonies as they remain untreated with miticides. Colonies of unselected stock will be included and treated as is usual for the commercial management. Management variations such as feeding regimes and hive conformation will be tested and implemented to increase bee populations in advance of crop pollination, especially early season almond pollination. These treatments will be modified as information develops in other segments of the Areawide Program. Once factors that regulate migratory stress, early season development or mite resistance are identified, molecular analyses using gene expression will be initiated to identify candidate genes that ultimately will support marker-assisted selection for desirable traits. The performance of the Russian honey bees (RHB) and bees with the Varroa- sensitive hygiene (VSH) trait in a commercial crop pollination operation was compared to Italian bees (treated and untreated groups) for two years. RHB had smaller colonies and higher varroa infestations on adults bees as compared to those of VSH and treated colonies. For RHB, these are two key characteristics of this stock normally observed in response to the lack of available pollen and nectar. Lowbush blueberry and cranberry are poor pollen and nectar sources. Nevertheless, both RHB and VSH colonies equally survived this intensive operation suggesting that these stocks can be used for commercial crop pollination. Such use will decrease beekeepers� reliance on acaricides to control varroa mites. A two-year study of RHB and honey bees with the VSH trait in the mid- west for honey production and then overwintered in California and used for almond pollination has been completed. Results differed between the years. In the first year, the mite resistant stocks they produced numerically more honey than the control stock, had fewer mites and survived winter better. They had a suitable size for almond pollination, especially if they were fed across the winter. In the second year, RHB produced about 10% honey than the control and VSH bees. In January the control and VSH bees had high levels of varroa infestation and generally were unsuitable for almond pollination. In contrast, the RHB had low levels of varroa infestation and were unusually large and quite suited for premium payment for almond pollination. Feeding colonies had little effect in the second year. High levels of varroa in control and VSH colonies interfered with any feeding effect and the RHB started the winter large and maintained their size.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objective is to demonstrate that mite-resistant honey bee stocks (Russian bees and varroa sensitive hygiene bees) reduce beekeeping management costs and increase colony survivorship. This objective builds on earlier results of the value of resistant bees by now focusing on bees used in migratory pollination of almonds and other crops. Additional objectives will be to improve management of resistant stocks to enhance profitability in pollination beekeeping, and to investigate molecular aspects of mite resistance and stress associated with moving bees. Approach (from AD-416) Resistant stocks will be established in commercial operations of cooperating beekeepers and monitored through annual cycles of movement to crops, and to sites of honey production and overwintering. Infestations of varroa and tracheal mites will be monitored in these colonies as they remain untreated with miticides. Colonies of unselected stock will be included and treated as is usual for the commercial management. Management variations such as feeding regimes and hive conformation will be tested and implemented to increase bee populations in advance of crop pollination, especially early season almond pollination. These treatments will be modified as information develops in other segments of the Areawide Program. Once factors that regulate migratory stress, early season development or mite resistance are identified, molecular analyses using gene expression will be initiated to identify candidate genes that ultimately will support marker-assisted selection for desirable traits. The first year of a study of honey bees used in the mid-west for honey production and then overwintered in California and used for almond pollination has been completed. Mite resistant stocks fared well in this trial. They produced numerically more honey than the control stock, had fewer mites and survived winter better. They had a suitable size for almond pollination, especially if they were fed across the winter. The replication of this trial was established in the field this spring.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objective is to demonstrate that mite-resistant honey bee stocks (Russian bees and varroa sensitive hygiene bees) reduce beekeeping management costs and increase colony survivorship. This objective builds on earlier results of the value of resistant bees by now focusing on bees used in migratory pollination of almonds and other crops. Additional objectives will be to improve management of resistant stocks to enhance profitability in pollination beekeeping, and to investigate molecular aspects of mite resistance and stress associated with moving bees. Approach (from AD-416) Resistant stocks will be established in commercial operations of cooperating beekeepers and monitored through annual cycles of movement to crops, and to sites of honey production and overwintering. Infestations of varroa and tracheal mites will be monitored in these colonies as they remain untreated with miticides. Colonies of unselected stock will be included and treated as is usual for the commercial management. Management variations such as feeding regimes and hive conformation will be tested and implemented to increase bee populations in advance of crop pollination, especially early season almond pollination. These treatments will be modified as information develops in other segments of the Areawide Program. Once factors that regulate migratory stress, early season development or mite resistance are identified, molecular analyses using gene expression will be initiated to identify candidate genes that ultimately will support marker-assisted selection for desirable traits. The performance of the Russian honey bees (RHB) and bees with the Varroa- sensitive hygiene (VSH) trait in a commercial crop pollination operation was compared to Italian bees (treated and untreated groups) for two years. RHB had smaller colonies and higher varroa infestations on adults bees as compared to those of VSH and treated colonies. For RHB, these are two key characteristics of this stock normally observed in response to the lack of available pollen and nectar. Lowbush blueberry and cranberry are poor pollen and nectar sources. Nevertheless, both RHB and VSH colonies equally survived this intensive operation suggesting that these stocks can be used for commercial crop pollination. Such use will decrease beekeepers� reliance on acaricides to control varroa mites.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objective is to demonstrate that mite-resistant honey bee stocks (Russian bees and varroa sensitive hygiene bees) reduce beekeeping management costs and increase colony survivorship. This objective builds on earlier results of the value of resistant bees by now focusing on bees used in migratory pollination of almonds and other crops. Additional objectives will be to improve management of resistant stocks to enhance profitability in pollination beekeeping, and to investigate molecular aspects of mite resistance and stress associated with moving bees. Approach (from AD-416) Resistant stocks will be established in commercial operations of cooperating beekeepers and monitored through annual cycles of movement to crops, and to sites of honey production and overwintering. Infestations of varroa and tracheal mites will be monitored in these colonies as they remain untreated with miticides. Colonies of unselected stock will be included and treated as is usual for the commercial management. Management variations such as feeding regimes and hive conformation will be tested and implemented to increase bee populations in advance of crop pollination, especially early season almond pollination. These treatments will be modified as information develops in other segments of the Areawide Program. Once factors that regulate migratory stress, early season development or mite resistance are identified, molecular analyses using gene expression will be initiated to identify candidate genes that ultimately will support marker-assisted selection for desirable traits. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Honey Bee Stock Research--The project addresses the goal of testing the commercial performance of honey bee stock products developed at the ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, LA. Varroa mite-resistant honey bees developed by the Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Unit underwent year two of testing in a commercial migratory beekeeping operation focused on crop pollination. Colonies of Russian stock and out-crossed varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH) bees were compared to a control (non-selected Italian) stock. One-half of the control colonies were treated against varroa as usual by the beekeeping cooperator and one-half remained untreated. Beginning in Feb 2009, all colonies were rented for pollination and were moved in the same sequence as the previous year. This included pollination of almonds in California, spring management in Louisiana, pollination of apples in New York, low-bush blueberries in Maine, and cranberries in Massachusetts, followed by late summer honey production in New York. Bees return to Louisiana in autumn for overwintering and buildup. Through the course of the pollination cycle the four test groups, in general, performed similarly regarding survival of colonies and queens, populations of bees and brood, and varroa infestation, with results following trends of the previous year. In addition, a second test is being re-initiated to measure response of colonies used in a migratory route that includes honey production in the midwest (Montana), followed by overwintering and almond pollination in California. Colony Management Objectives�The project also addresses the goal of identifying honey bee management procedures that will encourage Russian and other colonies to produce large colonies in late winter and early spring for early pollination and early queen production. Management variations in feeding regimes and hive conformation were examined. We assessed feeding (during 3 weeks in fall) and hive box size (8 vs. 10 frames) on growth rates of Russian bees (adults and brood) to compare with unfed Russians. During natural flow (Aug-Nov) colonies were not fed, but bees in 8-frame hives grew more from Aug to Nov than those in 10- frame hives (P<.05); the same colonies were then either fed or not fed during 3 weeks in November. Bees in both fed and unfed, 8-frame colonies decreased by late January, but unfed bees declined more. Unfed, 10-frame hives lost more than fed, 10-frame hives; however, hive type or feeding differences were not significant. Colonies were still ready for almond pollination. We also examined effects of continual late-fall feeding on Russian build up. Bees in two-story hives (8 or 10 frames) were fed or not fed syrup and Megabee� as before. Fed bees grew more than unfed bees in 8-frame hives. Fed, 10-frame hives grew more than unfed bees. Feeding differences were significant; hive size was not. The best VSH colonies from the pollination test were propagated and added to the VSH breeding pool to enhance pollination-related genetics. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This Areawide study supports the United States migratory beekeepers and crop growers. Technology Transfer Number of Other Technology Transfer: 1
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The primary objective is to demonstrate that mite-resistant honey bee stocks (Russian bees and varroa sensitive hygiene bees) reduce beekeeping management costs and increase colony survivorship. This objective builds on earlier results of the value of resistant bees by now focusing on bees used in migratory pollination of almonds and other crops. Additional objectives will be to improve management of resistant stocks to enhance profitability in pollination beekeeping, and to investigate molecular aspects of mite resistance and stress associated with moving bees. Approach (from AD-416) Resistant stocks will be established in commercial operations of cooperating beekeepers and monitored through annual cycles of movement to crops, and to sites of honey production and overwintering. Infestations of varroa and tracheal mites will be monitored in these colonies as they remain untreated with miticides. Colonies of unselected stock will be included and treated as is usual for the commercial management. Management variations such as feeding regimes and hive conformation will be tested and implemented to increase bee populations in advance of crop pollination, especially early season almond pollination. These treatments will be modified as information develops in other segments of the Areawide Program. Once factors that regulate migratory stress, early season development or mite resistance are identified, molecular analyses using gene expression will be initiated to identify candidate genes that ultimately will support marker-assisted selection for desirable traits. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Honey Bee Stock Research--The project addresses the goal of testing the commercial performance of honey bee stock products developed at the ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, LA. Varroa-resistant honey bees developed by the Unit were tested in a commercial migratory beekeeping operation focused on crop pollination. Colonies of Russian stock and outcrossed VSH bees were compared to a control (non-selected Italian) stock; some of the control colonies were treated against varroa as usual by the beekeeping cooperator and some were not treated. Beginning in Feb 2008, all colonies were moved in a sequence that included almond pollination in California, spring management in Louisiana, apple pollination in New York, lowbush blueberry pollination in Maine, cranberry pollination in Massachusetts, and late summer honey production in New York. They will return to Louisiana in autumn. Through the pollination rentals, the four test groups generally performed similarly regarding mortality of colonies and queens, populations of bees and brood, and varroa infestation. The test will be replicated for another season. In addition, a second test is being initiated to measure response of colonies used in a migratory route that includes honey production in the midwest (Montana), then overwintering in California followed by almond pollination. Colony Management Objectives--Project addresses the goal of identifying honey bee management procedures that will foster colony development of Russian and other colonies in late winter and early spring to produce large colonies for early pollination and early queen production. MegaBee protein diet for honey bees developed under a CRADA between ARS Carl Hayden Honey Bee Laboratory in Tucson, AZ and S.A.F.E. Research and Development was compared with other commercially available pollen substitute diets, pollen cake and a pollen-free diet of high fructose corn syrup for consumption and colony growth (brood and adult populations) . Colonies fed MegaBee patty produced significantly more brood than those fed pollen cake or any other diet. There was a significant relationship between the amount of diet consumed and the change in brood area and adult population size. A preliminary experiment compared the early spring growth of Russian colonies fed MegaBee and one of two concentrations of sucrose syrup, fed only MegaBee and fed nothing. The combination of feeding MegaBee and syrup produced larger colonies. The methods of delivering the food to colonies require improvement. A preliminary experiment compared the effects of hive size and late fall feeding on the size of colonies in early February Colonies were in double brood boxes having one of two box sizes (8 or 10 frames) and fed one of two feeding regimes (MegaBee and syrup or nothing) were tested. In February, 10 frame colonies not fed averaged 8 frames of bees, 8 frame colonies not fed averaged 9 frames of bees, 10 frame colonies that were fed averaged 10 frames of bees and 8 frame colonies that were fed averaged 11 frames of bees. A similar experiment with larger sample sizes will be done this year. NP 305.Comp.2.Prob.A-1;A-3.
Impacts
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