Groundbreaking Research Aims to Save Honey Bees: Scientists Tackle European Foulbrood Disease
In a bid to safeguard honey bee populations and address the devastating impact of European foulbrood disease, researchers at Oregon State University, in collaboration with esteemed institutions, have secured a significant $4.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
European foulbrood disease, a bacterial infection, has emerged as a major threat to honey bees, leading to colony declines and disrupting pollination efforts, particularly for early-season specialty crops. The four-year research project, a collaboration between Oregon State University, Washington State University, University of California, Davis, and Mississippi State University, seeks to unravel the mysteries surrounding the disease and devise effective strategies for mitigation.
Understanding the Enigma: European Foulbrood Disease
Caused by a bacteria that attacks honey bee larvae, the disease transforms newly hatched bee larvae into a distressing brown mush within a matter of days. Despite basic understanding, the disease's dynamics remain elusive, with researchers highlighting the need for a large-scale, comprehensive study.
Project director Ramesh Sagili, a professor in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, stated, “It’s an enigmatic disease. We understand the basics, but we don’t know why this disease flares up some years and then goes down.”
A Multifaceted Approach to Unraveling the Mystery
The ambitious project involves several key components. Researchers will closely monitor honey bee hives during their journeys to pollinate almonds and blueberries across Washington, Oregon, California, and Mississippi. By tagging 1,536 hives, they aim to observe the prevalence of foulbrood, estimate colony populations, and survey the microbiota of bees and larvae.
In cases where foulbrood evidence is found, samples will undergo genetic testing to identify new bacterial variants and assess their virulence. The team will also delve into the role of nutrition, examining whether the quantity and diversity of pollen influence hives’ susceptibility to foulbrood.
Towards Effective Mitigation Strategies
The latter part of the grant will focus on developing mitigation strategies for beekeepers. This includes determining optimal times for antibiotic application, the most effective colony-splitting timing, and the frequency of honeycomb replacement.
“The beekeeping industry and specialty crop producers are really excited about this grant,” noted Sagili. “It’s a huge, multidisciplinary collaborative effort with states, beekeepers, and farmers involved in this project.”
As the research kicks off in February with fieldwork in California, where honey bee hives play a crucial role in pollinating almonds, the project symbolizes a united front in the battle to protect these vital pollinators.
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