Our goal is to promote the health of bee pollinators. Our primary research focus is on honey bees, ranging from basic studies on mechanisms of social behaviors to applied studies on bee breeding and management. We work as a team to provide the richest learning environment for students at all levels and from all backgrounds.

Propolis

PhD candidate, Mike Simone has initiated a series of new research projects on propolis, a complex resin that honey bees collect from some trees, such as poplar and birch in temperate regions. Bees collect the propolis on their hind legs and deposit it in the nest as a form of cement or caulk to seal cracks and to line the nest entrance and cavity. Propolis is widely known for its diverse antimicrobial properties and its value as a human medicine. Few studies have investigated the antimicrobial benefits of propolis to bees.

A. Colony-level Immune Benefits and Behavioral Mechanisms of Resin Collection by Honey Bees

• Funded by National Science Foundation, beginning 2007
• In collaboration with Dr. Jay Evans, USDA Bee Lab, Beltsville, MD

With newly available gene candidates for immunity and techniques for assessing the activity levels and efficacy of the products from these genes, honey bees are an attractive model for understanding insect innate immunity. We are exploring the evolutionary benefits of resin (propolis) collection to honey bees, and the proximate mechanisms that regulate resin collection at the individual and colony-level. Harvesting a substance with antimicrobial properties that ultimately benefits the collective immune system of a group of individuals is a fascinating example of environmental effects on innate immunity.

B. Does Propolis Reduce the Reproductive Success of the Parasitic Mite, Varroa destructor Mites?

Varroa destructor continues to be a major cause of honey bee colony death in the U.S. We are investigating the effect of propolis on the reproductive success of this parasitic mite by applying propolis solution to the inside walls of a colony (as a "propolis envelope”) and to combs within the brood nest. We are testing the relative efficacy of propolis collected from the tropics (Brazil) and from temperate regions (Minnesota).

C. Novel Antimicrobial Properties of Honey Bee Propolis in Human and Animal Health

• Funded by College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota
• In collaboration with Drs. Jerry Cohen and Gary Gardner, Department of Horticultral Science, focus of PhD students Jessica Burtness and Mike Wilson (Horticultural Science)

This is a collaborative project to investigate the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of propolis. The impetus for this project stemmed from research by Drs Peterson and Gekkar in the University of Minnesota Medical School that propolis is highly active against HIV-1 in human cell culture. The specific goals of the project are to investigate the chemical components of plant resins from different botanical origins that are collected by honey bees and to identify those components in propolis that are responsible for the biological activity against bee- and human-related bacteria and viruses. The results of these studies will have strong significance for human health issues as this information will help us to better understand the potential health-promoting effects of phytochemicals present in a product collected from honey bee colonies. In addition, the results will also have great potential benefit with respect to honey bee health and other agricultural uses, which are major concerns for the agricultural industry.

Colony Collapse Disorder

• Funded by USDA-CAP (Coordinated Agricultural Project) on Managed Bees

We are one of 17 institutional collaborators on this large grant. The specific goals of the CAP are to 1) Determine and mitigate causes of Colony Collapse Disorder; 2) Incorporate traits that help honey bees resist pathogens and parasitic mites and increase genetic diversity of commercially available stocks; 3) Improve conservation and management of non-Apis pollinators; and 4) Deliver research knowledge to client groups an eXtension Community of Practice (http://www.beeccdcap.uga.edu/).

Our role, led by PhD student Mike Goblirsch, is to study the interactive effects of pathogens and parasites (Nosema, Varroa, viruses) and pesticides on colony health in stationary apiaries.  We are also initiating studies on the effects of Nosema ceranae infection on the behavioral development and physiology of honey bees.  Finally, we are working with commercial bee breeders in a large technology transfer project to assist them in incorporating traits that help bees resist diseases and mites.

Honey Bee Projects

Honey Bee Hygienic Behavior

Breeding Honey Bees for Resistance to Diseases and the Parasitic Mite, Varroa destructor

Our primary and long-term goal (M. Spivak and G. Reuter) is to help honey bees and beekeepers by reducing the amount of antibiotics and pesticides used in beehives to control diseases and parasitic mites. We have been breeding bees for resistance to these maladies since 1993 with the aim of “getting bees back on their own six feet” to end their reliance on chemical treatments for survival. A reduction in the use of antibiotics and pesticides will reduce operating costs for beekeepers, while ensuring healthy, strong colonies for honey production and pollination, and the purity of honey, wax and other marketable bee products.

Hygienic behavior of honey bees is the main mechanism of resistance to the devastating bacterial disease, American foulbrood, and the fungal disease, chalkbrood. Hygienic bees detect and remove infected brood from the nest before the pathogen becomes infectious. In 1993, we began by breeding a line of honey bees for hygienic behavior with the goal of testing if the behavior is also an effective mechanism of resistance to the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Extensive field trials at the University and in collaboration with commercial beekeepers have shown that bees bred for hygienic behavior do detect and remove mite-infested worker brood, and colonies bred for the behavior have reduced mite loads compared to unselected control colonies.

Our "MN Hygienic" line of bees is sold throughout the U.S. We are now collaborating with the beekeeping and queen breeding industries to promote selection for this trait among a variety of other commercially available lines of bees.

Varroa destructor

Reducing Pesticide Use in Honey Bee Colonies through Sound Sampling and Treatment Procedures

• Funded by Funded by NC-SARE (North Central – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)

The long-term goal of this research, conducted by Katie Lee, recent MS graduate,  is to reduce the amount of pesticide use in honey bee colonies for the control of the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. We are developing a simple and standardized sampling plan for commercial beekeepers to help them determine the infestation level of Varroa destructor mites in their colonies. We will develop guidelines for migratory beekeepers on making educated treatment decisions for the mite based on the sampling plan.

Orchard mason bees, Osmia

We are initiating studies on this important native pollinator.  Joel Gardner, M.S. student, will conduct surveys of Osmia in MN and WI to document historical changes in species diversity and abundance.