Pollinator decline is a critical issue affecting U.S. and global production of healthy foods. Honey bee colony losses have dramatically increased in recent years and have compromised the capacity of the commercial beekeeping industry to meet demand for agricultural pollination services. Pollination adds $15 billion to crop value in the U.S. annually. Scientists at the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA are addressing honey bee health issues by breeding honey bee stocks with improved resilience and resistance to pests, pathogens, and environmental toxins. Development of improved, healthy, and productive honey bee stocks will help mitigate the effects of disease and climate change, improving the food supply at local, national and global levels.
Pollinator decline is a critical issue affecting U.S. and global production of healthy foods. Honey bee colony losses have dramatically increased in recent years and have compromised the capacity of the commercial beekeeping industry to meet demand for agricultural pollination services. Pollination adds $15 billion to crop value in the U.S. annually. Scientists at the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA are addressing honey bee health issues by breeding honey bee stocks with improved resilience and resistance to pests, pathogens, and environmental toxins. Development of improved, healthy, and productive honey bee stocks will help mitigate the effects of disease and climate change, improving the food supply at local, national and global levels.
Pollinator decline is a critical issue affecting U.S. and global production of healthy foods. Honey bee colony losses have dramatically increased in recent years and have compromised the capacity of the commercial beekeeping industry to meet demand for agricultural pollination services. Pollination adds $15 billion to crop value in the U.S. annually. Scientists at the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics & Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge, LA are addressing honey bee health issues by breeding honey bee stocks with improved resilience and resistance to pests, pathogens, and environmental toxins. Development of improved, healthy, and productive honey bee stocks will help mitigate the effects of disease and climate change, improving the food supply at local, national and global levels.
Field Day Oct. 15, 2022
Latest Honey Bee Research coming out of the Lab
Breeding Honey Bees for Adaptation to Regionalized Plants and Artificial Diets
USDA Science - USDA REE leadership visit
ARS-Developed Varroa-Resistant Honey Bees Better Winter Survivor
Two Bees in a Podcast: Episode 118: How Honey Bees Respond to Viruses
AgCenter research examines how viruses affect honey bees’ vision
Selective breeding sustainably protects honey bees from Varroa mite
A sweet discovery: Local honey bee researchers find way to combat mite infestations
Social Patterns that Resist Varroa Mite Seen in Honey Bees for First Time 
Effects of Artificial Bee Diets to Determine which Diet Attributes are Most Effective
