Location: Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research
Project Number: 6050-21000-016-027-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 25, 2023
End Date: May 24, 2028
Objective:
The principal goals of this collaboration are to assess effects of encroaching urbanization on honey bee colony health and stock-specific resilience, and support minority students through experiential learning. ARS PI and Collaborator will use state-of-the-art technologies, including remote sensing, hive monitoring, molecular, and protein chemistry techniques to assess colony health and bee movement as related to various aspects of urbanization and limited forage resources. ARS PI and Collaborator will select robust and resilient honey bee stocks that are well-suited for both urban and commercial landscapes.
Approach:
ARS PI and Cooperator will monitor multiple honey bee stocks for standard colony health metrics, vitellogenin production, and pest and pathogen loads in urban and rural environments. Remote sensing, drone imaging, and hive monitoring technologies will be used to assess landscape differences, potential pertubations, and honey bee activity. ARS PI and Collaborator will employ molecular analysis, pathogen analyses, and protein analyses in these studies.
