Baton Rouge bee lab enhances disease resistance and health using novel management tools

Authors: Simone-Finstrom, Michael; Ricigliano, Vincent

Submitted to: Honey Producer
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2024
Publication Date: 4/1/2024
Citation: Simone-Finstrom, M., Ricigliano, V.A. 2024. Baton Rouge bee lab enhances disease resistance and health using novel management tools. Honey Producer. 12/13.

Interpretive Summary: Two recent projects out of the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA improve the natural defenses of honey bees against various parasites and pathogens, and improve honey bee colony resiliency, health and productivity. Research led by Dr. Mike Simone-Finstrom, tested the use of hive boxes with roughened interior walls to promote propolis deposition, and how these boxes affected colony size and pest and pathogen infection levels. Colonies with increased propolis on the hive walls had, on average, more frames of bees at the time of almond pollination, reduced disease (particularly European foulbrood [EFB] and viruses), and a trend for lower Varroa loads, along with other increased health metrics. Other research, led by Dr. Vincent Ricigliano, developed a novel feed-based antiviral treatment. Edible microalgae was used as a production and delivery system for therapeutic double stranded RNA (dsRNA), which naturally activates the bee immune response against viruses. This patent-pending technology advances RNAi-based treatments by sustainably producing dsRNA in a nutritious, immune-stimulating “package” that can be directly added to supplemental feed. In the laboratory, this treatment reduced virus-related mortality and symptoms of deformed wing virus in infected bees. This product has significant potential to provide a much-needed prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against honey bee viruses to improve colony health and productivity.

Technical Abstract: Two recent projects out of the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA aim to promote and advance the natural defenses of honey bees against various parasites and pathogens to improve the resiliency, health and productivity of colonies in operations of all sizes. In collaborative work led by Dr. Mike Simone-Finstrom, a multi-year study in cooperation with a commercial migratory operation tested the use of modified Langstroth hive bodies. Colonies were maintained in boxes with roughened interiors that promote increased propolis deposition as a thin layer on the walls and followed them from Spring establishment through Spring of the next year. In both years of study, colonies with increased propolis on the hive walls had, on average, an extra 1.5 frames of bees in California for almond pollination, reduced disease (particularly European foulbrood [EFB] and viruses) and a trend for lower Varroa loads, along with other increased health metrics. Work continues to explore the role of propolis in reducing impacts of Varroa in general and EFB during blueberry pollination. Other research, led by Dr. Vincent Ricigliano, developed a novel feed-based antiviral treatment. Edible microalgae was used as a production and delivery system for therapeutic double stranded RNA (dsRNA), which naturally activates the bee immune response against viruses. This patent-pending technology advances RNAi-based treatments by sustainably producing dsRNA in a nutritious, immune-stimulating “package” that can be directly added to supplemental feed. Results of the treatment, tested in the laboratory, have reduced virus-related mortality and symptoms of deformed wing virus in infected bees. This product, still in development, has significant potential to provide a much-needed prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against honey bee viruses to improve colony health and productivity.