Location: Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystems Research
Project Number: 6066-30500-004-016-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 25, 2025
End Date: Sep 24, 2026
Objective:
1. Determine honey bee colony performance in stationary colonies in California
2. Understand the expression of chalkbrood, a fungal disease that has increased in prevalence and stakeholders are increasingly expressing concern of this pathogen's impact on colony health.
Approach:
In a systems approach involving fundamental and applied components, cooperator will assist ARS in conducting research to measure honey bee colony performance and various colony metrics related to honey bee health. The cooperator will also work with ARS researchers in establishing connections with stakeholder beekeepers in apiaries in central California, where the researchers will examine the presence of chalkbrood, a fungal pathogens and determine colony-level infectivity and factors promoting infection by the fungus. 3 to 4 stakeholder apiaries will be identified 20-30 colonies per apiary will be followed through the season collecting data on adult bee strength, brood area (Eggs+larvae+pupae) and food area (honey+pollen+empty) within each colony. Presence and prevalence of pests including Varroa mites will be recorded. Presence and prevalence of pathogens including chalkbrood and foulbrood will be noted and samples collected for analyses.
The data will be analyzed in conjunction with data from other regions of the country so as to synergize the efforts resulting from Rapid Agriculture Crisis Response (RACR-Bee) launched by ARS to address widespread bee losses in 2025.
The results of the various research components will be published in refereed journals, trade magazines, or extension articles, presented at professional and grower meetings. Information from the research will be integrated and formulated into improved colony management strategies.