Thinking inside the box: Restoring the propolis envelope facilitates honey bee social immunity.

When wild honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) nest in hollow tree cavities, they coat the rough cavity walls with a continuous layer of propolis, a substance comprised primarily of plant resins. Studies have shown that the resulting "propolis envelope" leads to both individual- and colony-level health benefits. Unfortunately, the smooth wooden boxes most commonly used in beekeeping do little to stimulate propolis collection.

Viral species differentially influence macronutrient preferences based on honey bee genotype.

Food quantity and macronutrients contribute to honey bee health and colony survival by mediating immune responses. We determined if this held true for bees injected with chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) and deformed wing virus (DWV), two common honey bee ssRNA viruses. Pollen-substitute diet and syrup consumption rates and macronutrient preferences of two Varroa-resistant stocks (Pol-Line and Russian bees) were compared to Varroa-susceptible Italian bees.

Colony-Level Viral Load Influences Collective Foraging in Honey Bees.

Nutrition is an important component of social insect colony health especially in the face of stressors such as parasitism and viral infections. Honey bees are known to preferentially select nectar and pollen based on macronutrient and phytochemical contents and in response to pathogen loads. However, given that honey bees live in colonies, collective foraging decisions may be impacted directly by forager infection status but also by colony health.

A derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission.

The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is the greatest threat to managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies globally. Despite significant efforts, novel treatments to control the mite and its vectored pathogens have shown limited efficacy, as the host remains naïve. A prospective solution lies in the development of Varroa-resistant honey bee stocks, but a paucity of rigorous selection data restricts widespread adoption.

Genome-wide patterns of differentiation within and among U.S. commercial honey bee stocks.

Background: The population genetics of U.S. honey bee stocks remain poorly characterized despite the agricultural importance of Apis mellifera as the major crop pollinator.

Tropilaelaps species identification and viral load evaluation of Tropilaelaps and Varroa mites and their Apis mellifera hosts in Palawan, Philippines.

Apis mellifera pupae and their parasites Tropilaelaps and Varroa destructor were collected from honey bee hives in Palawan, Philippines for species identification of the Tropilaelaps and viral analyses. Genetic analysis identified Tropilaelaps mercedesae infesting A. mellifera on the island.

Comb Irradiation Has Limited, Interactive Effects on Colony Performance or Pathogens in Bees, and Wax Based on Two Honey Bee Stocks.

Parasitic mites and pathogens compromise honey bee health. Development of sustainable and integrative methods of managing these problems will minimize their detrimental impact on honey bees. Here, we aimed to determine if the combination of using mite-resistant stocks along with gamma-irradiated combs influences colony health and productivity.