Project Aims to Tackle Viral Infections in Queen Bees
Honeybees play a critical role in agriculture as pollinators, and their health is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, there are limited options available to beekeepers for preventing viral disease transmission to queen bees. However, two apiculturists, Esmaeil Amiri, and Jeff Harris from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, are working on a project to address this issue and improve the health and quality of queen honeybees.
Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, leaving beekeepers with few therapeutic approaches to tackle viral infections. Bee management and breeding currently seem to be the most promising methods for mitigating viral diseases in honeybees. Recent developments in genetics and molecular biology offer potential solutions for limiting virus loads in honeybee populations.
Amiri and Harris plan to collaborate with queen breeders and host workshops to connect with more of them. They aim to collect samples from volunteer queen producers to evaluate the health status of the young queens they produce. This project has received financial support from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, overseen by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops, including honey.
Queen bee health and quality have been long-standing concerns in the beekeeping industry, and queen producers are keen to obtain more information about the health status and quality of their queens. More than 30 viruses have been detected in honeybees, and some of these, such as deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus, black queen cell virus, and acute bee paralysis virus, have been found in queens. The Varroa mite is a major vector of these viruses.
Harris emphasizes the importance of understanding viral transmission routes to manage honeybee viruses effectively. Factors such as hive spacing, visual landmarks, and entrance reducers can reduce drift between routes. Providing high-quality diets for bees ensures proper nutrition and foraging throughout the active season, helping to mitigate the impact of viruses.
Queen breeders have a crucial role in virus control since queens are sold nationally and internationally, potentially contributing to the long-distance distribution of viruses. Amiri and Harris have initiated the collection of queen samples from different breeding operations across Mississippi, offering participating beekeepers information about circulating viruses and their primary transmission routes. This information will empower queen breeders to make informed decisions and enhance product quality.
#Honeybees, #ViralInfections, #Agriculture
