Northeast Region IPM Grants
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| States: | Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland |
| Investigators: | Ostiguy, N. M., D. Caron, and M. Embrey |
| Institutions: |
Penn State University, University of Delaware,
University of Maryland |
| Project Type: | Research |
| Award*: | $142,255 |
| Term: | 24 months beginning 04/01/03 |
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Setting: |
honey bees |
*Award shown is total amount to be used over the course of the project term.
The number of managed and feral honey bee colonies has declined due largely to the varroa mite, and external parasite of the honey bee. Growers and others who rely on feral and managed bees for pollination or honey have noticed this loss. The current method for varroa control is the application of one of two pesticides to which mites have become resistant. Lethal and sublethal bee effects may result from both pesticides. Additionally, these pesticides have been detected in hive products, e.b., honey and wax. Integrated pest management will provide an opportunity to control varroa without contaminating hive products or harming the honey bee plus resistance development can be slowed.
This project has two objectives: 1) test the efficacy of delaying queen release or caging queens to reduce varroa levels in honey bee colonies and 2) test the efficacy of delaying queen release or queen caging with screen bottom boards to reduce varroa levels in honey bee colonies. Delaying the release of or caging of a queen temporarily stops bee brood production; this has the potential to reduce the number of mites as brood is necessary for mite reproduction. Forty percent of mites found on the hive bottom are alive. Screen bottom boards can decrease the number of mites in a colony because mites are prevented from reattaching on a bee if a screen separates them from the bees. Combining brood interruption with screen bottom boards should lower mite levels in a colony such that pesticide application is unnecessary.
Research
1. Test the efficacy of delaying queen release or of queen caging as an IPM tactic to reduce varroa levels in honey bee colonies.
2. Test the efficacy of the delaying queen release or of queen caging tactic chosen from Objective 1 with screen bottom boards to reduce varroa levels in honey bee colonies.
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