SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AFFECTING BEE HEALTH

Honey bees are essential for pollination of over 90 fruit and vegetable crops worldwide, with the pollination valued at more than $14.6 billion in the U.S. Since 2006, increased colony loss in bee colonies with unique symptoms (termed Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)) have severely impacted their number and threaten diverse pollination needs of fruit and vegetable producers. In the U.S., the losses due to CCD are combined with major losses due to the parasitic Varroa mite, creating major concern for beekeepers in the U.S. and their economic sustainability. Within the last few years, self-reporting surveys have reveled that approximately 45% of all colonies are lost annually. In addition, other pollinator populations appear to be decreasing, with several species of bumble bees on the verge of extinction. It is essential for both agriculture and natural ecosystems that this be resolved. The honey bee is the primary pollinator of agricultural crops dependent upon insect pollination. Determining how pathogens and pesticides impact bees is needed to ensure healthy ecosystems, dependent upon pollination of flowering plants. CCD has continued to plague the United States, along with increased colony deaths due to other causes. The underlying causes of CCD are complex as revealed by an epidemiological analysis. CCD colonies have high pathogen prevalence, in particular picorna-like viruses; and data indicate that additional stresses such as chemical exposure and lack of adequate nutrition are playing a role. How the interaction among these stresses translates into bee colony loss is still at question. Environmental chemicals may be part of the problem in colony health. Over 70 different pesticides have been found, representing almost all classes of pesticides. How these chemicals interact with each other and affect the bee biology and health is unknown and is of major importance for understanding impacts on colony health and on native pollinators. It is clear that multiple factors are present that impact colonies. How these factors interact and how the combinatorial impacts determine colony health is key to overcoming honey bee colony loss. We propose to analyze the various stress factors and their interactions on colony and pollinator health, asking what mechanisms underlie the increased mortality. We propose to take our findings to create best management practices for the bee keeper, grower, and other stakeholders. This information is essential for our food security and environmental sustainability.