Progress 05/01/15 to 04/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:During this period we have reached diverse audiences through our work including farmers, beekeepers, students, and foreign researchers. The broad scope of our work on bee health has theoretical and practical appeal and we will reach out via web productions and in person to our audience. We are active participants in local activities relating to farming practices such as the Go Farm, the Beekeeping Hui of the Master Gardener Program (to which we continue to provide training). We support the USDA goals via assistance to the Hawaii Apiary Program and provide diagnostic supports for beekeepers. In addition, we published one journal article and produce a 10 min video (see products for details). Changes/Problems:There have been no major changes, except for the addition of American Foul brood to our seasonal managmenet reccomendations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team has conducted several important services: 1- Training to veterinarians on European and American foulbrood - The new state regulations require that a veterinarian inspects and certifies the presence of AFB. 2- Our workshops and talks have been attended by a diversity of stakeholders ranging from beekeepers, farmers, extension agents, veterinarians, and members of consumer/government agencies such as Hawaii Center for Food Safety, and beekeepersfrom the Western States, beekeepers and government agents from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Panama, and Mexico. Imports of live bees to Hawaii is highly prohibited to reduce introduction of pests and diseases, consequently, any beekeeper or farmer wishing to acquire bees must do so from local stock. The recent resurgence of American Foul Brood in some apiaries has created a serious concern as the disease is very virulent and can be spread easily. We are collaboratingwith the Hawaii Department of Agriculture in a state wide survey of bee health. Our team presented our research at the Pacific ESA meeting, held here in Hawaii in April 2016 and in the Fall annual meeting of the Western Apicultural Society. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have imparted local talks, held workshops, participated in state fairs, talk to children with disabilities, talked to scouts, participated in training workshops for extension agents involved in organic food production. Attended and presented poster at the USDA NIFA project director's meeting in October 2017. Hawaii and the Myth of Paradise: Seasonality and Colony Stress among Hawaii's Honeybees. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to produce a comprehensive Beekeeping Calendar based on several years of information and locally relevant information. The calendar will include best management practices recommendations. We also plan to produce 3 peer reviewed papers from these observations- one manuscript is now being developed. 1- E.M. Villalobos, S. Nikaido, J. Wong, and D. Downey. 2018. Small Hive Beetle Peek a Boo: Assessing field-sampling strategies in newly invaded geographical regions. 2- Seasonality of Hawaii's honeybees and the implications for colony management. We will continue our pollen work - which is extremely time consuming but we have now developed a collaboration with the head of the Botanical Garden in Dominican Republic and this could facilitate our flora identification since both islands share many tropical foliage.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1- The project has succeeded in identifying stress periods and is working on testing the effect of supplemental feeding on honeybees under Hawaii's conditions. We are now in the second year of providing experimental supplemental resources during the winter months and recording colony health, population, and performance during the summer months. a- We gathered information on colony dynamics to identify periods of growth and/or potential stress. Colony growth, re-queening frequency, forager traffic has been intensively monitored and the data is currently being analyzed. b- We also gathered information on pest/disease levels throughout the year. One of the most difficult pests for researchers to truly understand has been the small hive beetle Aethina tumida. So far, countless of scientific papers have attempted to decipher what hive characteristics may be linked to the increase of the beetle populations and subsequent collapse of the colony, however, there has been little progress made. The study we have been conducting is a long term monitoring program of SHB densities based on in-hive beetle traps. We have gathered almost 4 years of data on beetle abundance and tracked around 25 hives weekly at the same site. Although the study is mostly limited to one site (we have sample information from other micro-habitats in Hawaii) we feel that the extreme El Nino and La Nina weather changes justifying focusing on one site to be able to separate global weather influences versus the typical colony seasonality patterns. The density of the beetles appears to have been increasing over time,and we have also began making management changes to the hive that may have resulted in higher capture rates as we reduce the average number of boxes in which the hives are housed during the winter months. The interaction between the numbers of SHB captured, the physical space of the hive (boxes used), and the bee population can complicate the assessment of beetle densities and long term monitoring provides the best approach we can use to understand the interactions between bees and beetles. So far the highlights are 1-SHB densities in Hawaii continue to increase sin spite more intensive colony management. We assume this is part of an invasion curve that will come to stabilize over time. 2- Although captures of SHB are highest during the winter time it is possible that the overall increase compared to summer is in part due to the reduction in space provided to the bees, which makes chasing and disrupting the beetles more efficient. However, bee population also decreases at that time of the year so colonies could be considered weak. To examine the importance of each of these factors we are conducting field experiments adjusting the relative size of the hive space. 3- Identify periods of pollen shortages and commonly utilized pollen sources. The feeding trials that we have completed are unique for HI colonies andwill contribute information that will improve beekeeper management, reduce cost, and reduce the possibility of SHB attack by considering the precise amount of food that can be provided to a colony without inducing a break out of Small Hive Beetle larvae inside the hive. This information will soon be made available as a handout and a video thatwill guide beekeepers and farmers about the timing of natural occurring colony changes and alert them of possible seasonal conditions that require management. Pollen shortages have been identified and an experiment on the impact of supplementary feeding was conducted during the winter months. Results of these experiments are being analyzed. We have now acquired the information we need to produce a Best Management Practices documents that will complete the Beekeeping Calendar.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Santamaria, J., Villalobos, E.M., Brettell, L.E., Nikaido, S., Graham, J.R., and Martin S. 2017. Evidence of Varroa-mediated Deformed Wing Virus Spillover in Hawaii. J Invertebr Pathol. 2018 Jan;151:126-130. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Nov 21.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
This is a video that won first place in the Entomological Society of America annual meeting in a pollinator video competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-5z0X6gQBI
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Progress 05/01/16 to 04/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience continues to be growers that need bees and beekepers that may be able to provide bees for pollination. In 2016- 2017 we also worked with master gardeners,ag professionals that can help teach growers, growers and producers of the Western States (annual conference of the Western Apicultural Society was held in Honolulu and we delivered talks and had field days/workshops on variois aspects of bee husbandry) Changes/Problems:There have been delays for a number of reasons including climate, the passing of an important collaborator, and health of one of the team members. However, we feel confident that we can continue the work and we feel we have made significant progress in the field and in the development of important research collaborations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our workshops and talks have been attended by a diversity of stakeholders ranging from beekeepers, farmers, extension agents, veterinarians, and members of consumer/government agencies such as Hawaii Center for Food Safety, and beekeeeprsfrom the Western States, beekeepers and government agents from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Panama, and Mexico. Imports of live bees to Hawaii is highly prohibited to reduce introduction of pests and diseases, consequently, any beekeeper or farmer wishing to acquire bees must do so from local stock. The recent resurgence of American Foul Brood in some apiaries has created a serious concern as the disease is very virulent and can be spread easily. We are collaboratiingwith the HDoA in a state wide survey of bee health. Our team presented our research at the Pacific ESA meeting, held here in Hawaii in April 2016 and in the Fall annual meeting of the Westen Apuclutural Society. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have imparted local talks, held workshops, participated in state fairs, talk to children with disabilities, talked to scouts, participated in training workshops for extension agents involved in organic food production. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A no-cost extension for an additional year has been granted. There is a lot of material that needs to be analyzed, presented as scientific publications, educational materials (fliers,posters, and videos) We will continue our pollen work - which is extremely time consuming but we have now developed a collaboration with the head of the Botanical Garden in Dominican Republic and this could facilitate our flora identification since both islands share many tropical foliage.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1-Gather information on colony dynamics to identify periods of growth and/or potential stress Colony growth, re-queening frequency, forager traffic has been intensively monitored and the data is currently being aanalyzed. 2-Gather information on pest/disease levels throughout the year One of the most difficult pests for researchers to truly understand has been the small hive beetleAethina tumida. So far, countless of scientific papers have attempted to decipher what hive characteristics may be link edto the increase of the beetle populations and subsequent collapse of the colony, however, there has been little progress made The study we have been conducting is a long term monitoring program of SHB densities based on in-hive beetle traps. We have gathered almost 4 years of data on beetle abundance and tracked around 25 hives weekly at the same site. Although the study is mostly limited to one site (we have sample information from other micro-habitats in Hawaii) we feel that the extreme El Nino and La Nina weather changes justifying focusing on one site to be able to separate global weather influences versus the typical colony seasonality patterns. The density of the beetles appears to have been increasing over time,and we have also began making management changes to the hive that may have resulted in higher capture rates as we reduce the average number of boxes in which the hives are housed during the winter months. The interaction between the numbers of SHB captured, the physical space of the hive (boxes used), and the bee population can complicate the assessment of beetle densities and long term monitoring provides the best approach we can use to understand the interactions between bees and beetles. So far the highlights are 1-SHB densities in Hawaii continue to increase sin spite more intensive colony management. We assume this is part of an invasion curve that will come to stabilize over time. 2-Although captures of SHB are highest during the winter time it is possible that the overall increase compared to summer is in part due to the reduction in space provided to the bees, which makes chasing and disrupting the beetles more efficient. However, bee population also decreases at that time of the year so colonies could be considered weak. To examine the importance of each of these factors we are conducting field experiments adjusting the relative size of the hive space. 3- Identify periods of pollen shortages and commonly utilized pollen sources The feeding trials that we have completed are unique for HI colonies andwill contribute information that will improve beekeeper management, reduce cost, and reduce the possibility of SHB attack by considering the precise amount of food that can be provided to a colony without inducing a break out of Small Hive Beetle larvae inside the hive. This information will soon be made available as a handout and a video thatwill guide beekeepers and farmers about the timing of natural occurring colony changes and alert them of possible seasonal conditions that require management. Pollen shortages have been identified and an experiment on the impact of supplementary feeding was conducted during the winter months. Results of these experiments are being analyzed.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, E. 2017. Evidence of Varroa-mediated Deformed Wing virus spillover in Hawaii. Journal Invertebrate Pathology.
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Progress 05/01/15 to 04/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience continues to be growers that need bees and beekepers that may be able to provide bees for pollination. This year we also worked with master gardeners and other ag professionals that can help teach growers. Changes/Problems:Capturing swarms and monitoring hives after catching became complicated to almost impossible during hurricane season. Swarms that develop out of season also tend to have a lower survival rate, thus are not suited for distribution to farmers or begining beekeepers. We are hoping that the cohort of people trained through our workshops will be in a position to accept bees during the next swarming season. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has a direct impact to stakeholders in Hawaii. Due to disease and pest concerns, imports of bees to Hawaii is highly prohibited, consequently, any beekeeper or farmer wishing to acquire bees must do so from local stock. Swarms represent a legitimate source of bees for the public, but many farmers still require training. The UH Honeybee Project has developed a Farmer Beekeeper Get Together Group that meets every trimester to discuss aspects of beekeeping and bee health and to develop connections within the agricultural community. These meetings take place at the University, during off hours, and provide a mix of technical information via talks with friendly atmosphere. In addition the bee group continues to deliver talks and workshops to stakeholders, Our work and partnership with the State Apiary Program is helping provide valuable information towards the improvement of queens in Hawaii. As outlined in the previous report we were planning to develop a beekeeping course. This semester we provided the first Beekeeping Course on Oahu through the Outreach College. http://www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit/courses/programdetail/3380 In addition, to hands on training we are creating educational materials, including a swarm handout (in collaboration with the Hawaii State Apiary Program) http://hawaiipollinator.com/pdf/beekeeping/UHB_swarm_handout-2015-English.pdf and a swarm video currentlyunder production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information about declining honeybee health, bee friendly habitats, and bee threats has been shared via workshops, public talks at local agricultural events and online at our websites. We continue to add materials to the website created with support of Western SARE. This website is aimed at growers that need bees and beekeepers that work with growers. http://hawaiipollinator.com/index.html http://www.uhbeeproject.com What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The research focus of the project will be to continue to document the seasonality of swarming in different microhabitats and to examine more closely the factors that determine success or failure of colonies undergoing a swarming event. We will be presenting our research at the Pacific ESA meeting to be held here in Hawaii in April. I am also the president of the Western Apicultural Society and we will be hosting the annual meeting of the society in Honolulu this year. We plan to have workshops and talks for beekeepers and farmers at this event. We will offer a follow up beekeeping course, at an intermediate level, with added information about swarming and queen breeding. This is a much needed step to make sure swarms are properly utilized and cared for.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
What was accomplished under these goals? Based on our collaboration with local beekeepers we are finding out more about honeybee swarm availability onthe islands. The arrival of the varroa mite and the small hive beetle reduced the number of feral colonies and affected the strength of the managed hives. Using our own data ,and the records of a long-term beekeeper that provides commercial swarm removal, we are beginning to see the interactive effects of pest, disease, and climatic changes. In the previous report we had note a dramatic decrease in swarm density in 2014 on Oahu and the Big Island. We now add to that observation a dramatic increase in swarm abundance in 2015. This unusual trend can be best interpreted by considering past records and adding the important climatic effect of El Niño. On Oahu, rainfall increased dramatically and there were frequent hurricane alerts. The bees on Oahu swarmed frequently during 2015. Commercial swarm catching companies and beekeepers were inundated by calls asking for help. Using the business records provided byour collaborators we were able to track the number and location of "swarm calls", that is the number of calls he received, data about the location, and the result of the visit (was it a true swarm or an older, established hive). The data suggests that swarm calls were the highest before the mite arrival, and the numbers fell to approximately ¼ for the next three years (2008 - 2010). In 2011 the calls grew to 2/3 of the original level. This year coincides with a Moderate Strength La Niña event, which tends to bring more rain. From 2011 to 2014 swarm calls decreased again, until the recent peak in 2015 during a very intense El Niño year. Access to this historical records can helps us understand the interactive nature of disease, pests, and climate change. If the swarm frequency is tied to large-scale climatic patterns, it might be another element to consider in terms of pollination success for agricultural crops depending on bees. We will continue to gather data on colony health and swarming activity to gain a better understanding of this important trend in population dynamics.
Publications
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