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Hopkins BK, Long J, Naeger NL, Sheppard WS. Comparison of indoor (refrigerated) versus outdoor winter storage of commercial honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), colonies in the Western United States. J Econ Entomol 2023; 116:1063-1068. [PMID: 37392061 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are critical to the pollination of many important crops in the United States, and one crop that demands large numbers of colonies early each year is almonds. To provide adequate numbers of colonies for almond pollination, many beekeepers move colonies of bees to high-density holding yards in California in late fall, where the bees can fly and forage, but little natural pollen and nectar is available. In recent years, high colony losses have occurred in some operations following this management strategy, and alternative approaches, including indoor storage of colonies, have become more commonly used. The current study evaluated colonies kept indoors (refrigerated and/or controlled atmosphere) for the winter compared with those kept outdoors in either Washington or California. Colonies were evaluated for strength (frames of bees), brood area, lipid composition of worker bees, colony weight and survival, parasitic mites (Varroa mites, tracheal mites), and pathogens (Nosema spp.). No differences were found in colony weight, survival, parasitic mite levels, or pathogen prevalence among the treatments. Colonies stored indoors and outdoors in WA had significantly more frames of bees and less brood present after the storage period than colonies stored outdoors in CA. Lipid composition of honey bees stored indoors was significantly higher than colonies stored outdoors in WA or CA. The implications of these findings for overall colony health and improved pollination activity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K Hopkins
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, FSHN 164, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6382, USA
| | - Jason Long
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, FSHN 164, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6382, USA
| | - Nicholas L Naeger
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, FSHN 164, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6382, USA
| | - Walter S Sheppard
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, FSHN 164, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6382, USA
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Onayemi SO, Hopkins BK, Sheppard WS. Elevated CO2 Increases Overwintering Mortality of Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies. J Econ Entomol 2022; 115:1054-1058. [PMID: 35604389 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Indoor storage of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) during winter months has been practiced for decades to protect colonies from the adverse effects of long, harsh winter months. Beekeepers have recently employed indoor storage to reduce labor, feeding costs, theft, and woodenware degradation. Despite the growing number of colonies stored indoors, national survey results still reveal high losses. Varroa mites (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) are the most critical threat to colony winter survival and health of colonies because they contribute to the transmission of viruses and colony mortality. To investigate the effect of high CO2 on varroa mites during the indoor storage of honey bees, 8-frame single deep colonies were stored in two separate environmental chambers at 4°C each. One environmental chamber was set at 8.5% CO2 (high CO2), while the other was set at low CO2 (0.12%). Dead and falling mites were collected and counted from the bottom of individual colonies weekly during the experiment. There was a significant difference in mite mortality of colonies with high CO2 compared to colonies held at low CO2. These results indicated that high CO2 could increase mite mortality during the period of indoor storage, potentially improving honey bee health coming out of the winter months. Our research offers a critical addition to beekeepers' tools for managing varroa mite populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen O Onayemi
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Brandon K Hopkins
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Walter S Sheppard
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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Han JO, Naeger NL, Hopkins BK, Sumerlin D, Stamets PE, Carris LM, Sheppard WS. Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10582. [PMID: 34011994 PMCID: PMC8134475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi show great promise as pesticides in terms of their relatively high target specificity, low non-target toxicity, and low residual effects in agricultural fields and the environment. However, they also frequently have characteristics that limit their use, especially concerning tolerances to temperature, ultraviolet radiation, or other abiotic factors. The devastating ectoparasite of honey bees, Varroa destructor, is susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, but the relatively warm temperatures inside honey bee hives have prevented these fungi from becoming effective control measures. Using a combination of traditional selection and directed evolution techniques developed for this system, new strains of Metarhizium brunneum were created that survived, germinated, and grew better at bee hive temperatures (35 °C). Field tests with full-sized honey bee colonies confirmed that the new strain JH1078 is more virulent against Varroa mites and controls the pest comparable to current treatments. These results indicate that entomopathogenic fungi are evolutionarily labile and capable of playing a larger role in modern pest management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer O Han
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Nicholas L Naeger
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Brandon K Hopkins
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Lori M Carris
- Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Walter S Sheppard
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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Hopkins BK, Chakrabarti P, Lucas HM, Sagili RR, Sheppard WS. Impacts of Different Winter Storage Conditions on the Physiology of Diutinus Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). J Econ Entomol 2021; 114:409-414. [PMID: 33386734 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Global decline in insect pollinators, especially bees, have resulted in extensive research into understanding the various causative factors and formulating mitigative strategies. For commercial beekeepers in the United States, overwintering honey bee colony losses are significant, requiring tactics to overwinter bees in conditions designed to minimize such losses. This is especially important as overwintered honey bees are responsible for colony expansion each spring, and overwintered bees must survive in sufficient numbers to nurse the spring brood and forage until the new 'replacement' workers become fully functional. In this study, we examined the physiology of overwintered (diutinus) bees following various overwintering storage conditions. Important physiological markers, i.e., head proteins and abdominal lipid contents were higher in honey bees that overwintered in controlled indoor storage facilities, compared with bees held outdoors through the winter months. Our findings provide new insights into the physiology of honey bees overwintered in indoor and outdoor environments and have implications for improved beekeeping management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hannah M Lucas
- Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Sciences, Corvallis, OR
| | - Ramesh R Sagili
- Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Sciences, Corvallis, OR
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Stamets PE, Naeger NL, Evans JD, Han JO, Hopkins BK, Lopez D, Moershel HM, Nally R, Sumerlin D, Taylor AW, Carris LM, Sheppard WS. Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13936. [PMID: 30287824 PMCID: PMC6172205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32194-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Waves of highly infectious viruses sweeping through global honey bee populations have contributed to recent declines in honey bee health. Bees have been observed foraging on mushroom mycelium, suggesting that they may be deriving medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses. We tested extracts from the mycelium of multiple polypore fungal species known to have antiviral properties. Extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi reduced the levels of honey bee deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a dose-dependent manner. In field trials, colonies fed Ganoderma resinaceum extract exhibited a 79-fold reduction in DWV and a 45,000-fold reduction in LSV compared to control colonies. These findings indicate honey bees may gain health benefits from fungi and their antimicrobial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Regan Nally
- Fungi Perfecti, LLC. Olympia, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Lori M Carris
- Washington State University. Pullman, Washington, USA
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Gül A, Şahinler N, Onal AG, Hopkins BK, Sheppard WS. Effects of diluents and plasma on honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) drone frozen-thawed semen fertility. Theriogenology 2017; 101:109-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Hopkins BK, Cobey SW, Herr C, Sheppard WS. Gel-coated tubes extend above-freezing storage of honey bee (Apis mellifera) semen to 439 days with production of fertilised offspring. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:1944-1949. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are an important agricultural species; however, relatively little work has been done to improve artificial reproductive technologies for this animal. The collection and distribution of germplasm for breeding and conservation is critical for improving managed honey bee populations and conserving threatened subspecies. The most efficient method of controlling breeding in honey bees is by artificial insemination. The collection of semen for insemination requires the use of antibiotics, which is especially critical if semen is to be stored for any length of time. The introduction of antibiotics is normally done through a balanced salt solution. In this study we compare, at two temperatures, the storage of undiluted semen in antibiotic–gel-coated capillary tubes with storage of semen diluted in a balanced salt solution containing antibiotics. Live–dead cell staining and artificial insemination of honey bee queens were performed at 45, 99 and 439 days after collection of the semen. In every case the antibiotic–gel-coated tube storage method at 14°C produced a higher percentage of fertilised offspring. This study demonstrates the longest period of time spermatozoa have been stored above freezing while maintaining fertilisation capacity.
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Hopkins BK, Herr C, Sheppard WS. Sequential generations of honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens produced using cryopreserved semen. Reprod Fertil Dev 2012; 24:1079-83. [DOI: 10.1071/rd11088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the world’s food production is dependent on honey bees for pollination, and expanding food production will further increase the demand for managed pollination services. Apiculturists outside the native range of the honey bee, in the Americas, Australia and eastern Asia, have used only a few of the 27 described subspecies of honey bees (Apis mellifera) for beekeeping purposes. Within the endemic ranges of a particular subspecies, hybridisation can threaten native subspecies when local beekeepers import and propagate non-native honey bees. For many threatened species, cryopreserved germplasm can provide a resource for the preservation of diversity and recovery of endangered populations. However, although instrumental insemination of queen honey bees is well established, the absence of an effective means to cryopreserve honey bee semen has limited the success of efforts to preserve genetic diversity within the species or to develop repositories of honey bee germplasm for breeding purposes. Herein we report that some queens inseminated with cryopreserved semen were capable of producing a substantial number of fertilised offspring. These diploid female larvae were used to produce two additional sequential generations of new queens, which were then back-crossed to the same stock of frozen semen. Our results demonstrate the ability to produce queens using cryopreserved honey bee spermatozoa and the potential for the establishment of a honey bee genetic repository.
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Hopkins BK, Baker PJ, Sheppard WS, Herr C. 99. The importance of egg-yolk in the cryopreservation of honey bee (Apis mellifera) semen. Cryobiology 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2011.09.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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