Expected Outcomes and Impacts:
- Objective I. Resistance management plans will be developed
for protecting the efficacy of chemical tools used in beekeeping. These will
rely on coordination of survey efforts to determine the extent of populations
of Varroa mites resistant to fluvalinate and of American foulbrood bacteria
resistant to Terramycin. Molecular techniques may be useful for determining
the mode of resistance of mites to fluvalinate. Economic injury levels and
thresholds will be developed and used in published management recommendations.
Alternative products will be evaluated for controlling Varroa mites (aromatic
oil derivatives) and American foulbrood (antibioitics).
- Objective II. We will evaluate and promote the use of honey
bee stocks showing tolerance to Varroa mites. Promising stocks have been identified
with different mechanisms of resistance, including a behavioral trait known
as hygienic behavior that causes bees to remove mite-infested pupae from the
comb, and an undetermined mechanism that prevents mites from reproducing successfully
on worker brood. Stocks with mite tolerance will be shared among the participating
states to maintain genetic diversity. Basic research on genetics of mite tolerance
will be shared prior to publication. Technology transfer to bee breeders will
be accomplished by providing annual workshops and short courses for beekeepers
and breeders in participating states. This will include stock evaluation and
artificial insemination techniques. This should result in transfer of stocks
to the beekeepers that are most able to maintain the lines.
- Objective III. In regards to pollination needs, We will
1) Attempt to develop ways to estimate the value of honey bee pollination.
2) Educate growers on the efficient use honey bee as pollinators. 3) Promote
and research judicious pesticide use in order to protect remaining honey bee
pollinators, and 4) Keep the public informed about the relationship between
beekeepers and growers. Key to this area will be research-based pollination
and pesticide-use recommendations, extension of recommendation by participation
in grower meetings and cooperation in the development of fact-sheets, videos,
web pages and commodity journal articles. A survey will be used to assess
the relationship between growers and pollinators.
- Objective IV. Sharing of extension materials will be coordinated
among participating states. We will coordinate regional workshops. We expect
to produce the following regional publications:
- Disease and pest management and control techniques.
- Successful wintering of bee colonies specifically tailored
to the northern region.
- Pollination requirements, and pesticide-use recommendations
that help protect honey bee pollinators, specific to the crops and climate
of the North Central Region
- A report, in national and regional trade journals and
to introduce the NCR Apiculture group and its purpose.