A NEW PHASE BEGINS FOR THE USDA-ARS RUSSIAN HONEY BEE BREEDING PROGRAM

Authors: Rinderer, Thomas; De Guzman, Lilia; Danka, Robert

Submitted to: American Bee Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2005
Publication Date: 7/1/2005
Citation: Rinderer, T.E., De Guzman, L.I., Danka, R.G. 2005. A new phase begins for the usda-ars russian honey bee breeding program. American Bee Journal 145(7):579-582.

Interpretive Summary: Ten years ago, staff of the USDA, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology unit visited the Primorsky Territory on the Pacific coast of Russia in an effort to find honey bees resistant to Varroa destructor. This paper describes the history of the project. It also highlights a change in the program. Screening of imported queens has now ended and a more intensive selection program is beginning. The details of the selection program are described.

Technical Abstract: Ten years ago, staff of the USDA, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology unit visited the Primorsky Territory on the Pacific coast of Russia in an effort to find honey bees resistant to Varroa destructor. Work with these bees has included preliminary evaluations, detailed study of colonies in Russia, importation of Russian queens through quarantine, a detailed comparison of the response to varroa mite infestations of Russian and Italian colonies, studies of selection for resistance to varroa mites, resistance to tracheal mites and studies of honey production. The emphasis of the program has now shifted from identifying breeder lines to intensifying selection within breeder lines.