Authors

S H Bell²; A G Maule²; A Mousley²; R J Paxton¹; N J Marks²;  ¹ Martin-Luther Universtat, Halle-Wittenburg;  ² Queen's University Belfast

Discussion

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are pivotal to the sustenance of human and animal populations through their ability to pollinate key agricultural crops throughout the world. Honey bees pollinate 75% of crops which are integral to human and animal life. The amount of land requiring pollination has increased by up to a third between 1961 and 2006. Colony losses are experienced by beekeepers across the world. There are multiple causes of colony loss such as parasites, viruses, microsporidia and environmental factors. This project will assess honey bee health and husbandry techniques employed by beekeepers in relation to the parasitic mite Varroa destructor through a questionnaire and disease analysis using molecular screens. Varroa is a parasitic mite which impacts honey bee health directly by inflicting physiological damage such as affecting flight. Varroa additionally have an indirect impact on honey bee populations as they act as a vector for viruses which have been shown to have adverse impacts on honey bee health, such as Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). Honey bees infected with DWV in their pupal stage can develop crippled wings when they are adults, inhibiting flight. 98% of beekeepers in Northern Ireland stated that their hives have been infested with Varroa, the majority of which found Varroa to be endemic within their hives. Project results can inform policy decisions and initiatives regarding honey bee health.