ARS | Publication request: The Bee Disease Diagnostic Service - 100 Years and Growing at the USDA Bee Research laboratory, Beltsville, MD

Submitted to: American Bee Journal
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: May 25, 2011
Publication Date: August 8, 2011
Citation: Smith Jr, I.B., Pettis, J.S. 2011. The bee disease diagnostic service - 100 years and growing at the USDA Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD. American Bee Journal. 151(8):767-772.

Technical Abstract: This article discusses the history of honey bee research in the Washington, D.C. area including the 100 year old bee disease diagnostic service available for beekeepers and apiary inspectors. This service provides the Bee Research Laboratory with first-hand knowledge of the problems facing the beekeeping industry and gives us access to samples from across the country that are used in research. This service is also valued and used extensively by the constituents that we serve. The paper provides data and a discussion for the previous 16 years of work at the bee disease diagnostic lab. Also included is a brief dialogue about the common bee pathogens, parasites and pests encountered. Instructions about submitting samples for diagnosis are provided.