Performing Department
Biology
Non Technical Summary
Honey bees are the primary managed insect pollinator in US agriculture, yet problems persist in the managed population. Two of the primary problems with honey bee colonies are disease agents (pathogens and parasites) and diminished reproductive quality of queens. For the former, beekeepers regularly apply antibiotics (to control bacterial pathogens) and acaricides (to control Varroa mites) in order to keep their colonies healthy. For the latter, beekeepers often replace their queens because of reduced longevity, premature failure, or early rejection, but the cause(s) of diminished reproductive quality are still unclear. We propose to test a potential link between beekeeper-applied compounds and reduced quality of queens (and the drones with which they mate). Our objectives are to determine if in-hive treatments, i.e., antibiotics and acaricides, (1) impact the reproductive health and physiology, (2) accumulate in the reproductive organs, and (3) alter the gut and reproductive microbiomes of queens and drones. Lastly, (4) we will promote clinical services for measuring queens and drones for beekeepers in real time so that they can measure these effects in their own operations. Preliminary and published work has demonstrated that beekeeper-applied medications may have indirect effects on honey bee fecundity, thus finding a balance between maintaining colony health and productivity is paramount to maintain a sustainable managed pollinator population.We predict that this research will lead to important information about the impacts of in-hive treatments on the reproductive fitness of both queens and drones. This information will be particularly relevant for beekeepers, breeders, and bee veterinarians. Through the North Carolina State Honey Bee Queen & Disease Clinic and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Plant and Pollinator Center, we will promote clinical services for measuring reproductive fitness of queens and drones as well as host public outreach events to communicate our research and advise best treatments practices to beekeepers and bee veterinarians based on our findings. Overall, this work will improve the quality of beekeeper decision-making and critical analyses, through promoting data-driven management practices. The proposed research addresses the AFRI Program Area Priority Pollinator Health: Research and Application by investigating the impact of beekeeper applied acaricides and antibiotics on honey bee reproductive health.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Goals / Objectives
Our objectives are to determine if in-hive treatments, i.e., antibiotics and acaricides, impact the reproductive health and physiology, accumulate in the reproductive organs, and alter the gut and reproductive microbiomes of queens and drones. We will also promote clinical services for measuring queens and drones for beekeepers in real time so that they can measure these effects in their own operations.Supporting Objective 1:Determine the impact of acaricides and antibiotics on thereproductive physiology of queens and dronesSupporting Objective 2:Quantify the amount of acaricides and antibiotics that accumulatein the reproductive tissues of queens and dronesSupporting Objective 3:Investigate the impact of acaricides and antibiotics on gut andreproductive microbiomes of queens and dronesSupporting Objective 4:Promote clinical services for measuring queens and drones andcommunicate best treatments practices to beekeepers and veterinarians
Project Methods
Large-scale field experiments will be conducted to test how commonly used in-hive treatments impact the reproductive fitness of honey bee queens and drones. In brief, hives will be treated with 1) antibiotics, 2) acaricides, or 3) not treated (control) following manufacturers instructions. Queens and drones will be sampled and evaluated for reproductive health using histology, mass spectrometry, biometrics, microscopy, and DNA sequencing of the gut and reproductive microbiomes. Results will be analyzed and interpreted by comparing treated queens and drones to control drones.Findings will be disseminated through publications, outreach events, workshops, extension work, and through the NC State Queen and Disease Clinic. The impact of our findings on the intended audiences will be evaluated through surveys and discussions. The success of the project will be evaluated by establishing milestones and by presenting the work at conferences to get feedback from other researchers and stakeholders. Success will be measured by the successful completion of each objective and the publication of scientific articles.