Honey Bee and Pollinator Research

Dr. Cox-Foster's lab analyzes frozen samples for evidence of pathogens. Efforts are being made to recreate colony collapse disorder in a controlled environment.

We are focusing on synergistic and sublethal effects of multiple pesticides on the chemical senses and chemically mediated behaviors of honeybees in relation to honeybee health and CCD in collaboration with Chris Mullin and Maryann Frazier.  Graduate student Daniel Schmehl is also looking at a comparative approach with the solitary bee, Osmia cornifrons.

Dr. Grozinger's research group uses genomic approaches to study the biology of honey bees, their pests and pathogens and other social insect species.  Ongoing projects include characterizing the genes and molecular mechanisms involved in pheromone communication, reproduction, and response to immunostimulation in honey bees.  We are developing genomic resources for Varroa mites, a serious pest of honey bees, fire ants, and the paper wasp Polistes dominulus, both excellent models for study the evolution of social behavior.

As a toxicologist, Dr. Mullin looks for evidence that pesticides in bee pollen may be linked to CCD.

Dr. Ostiguy's lab is investigating the contribution of various stresses, such as varroa mites and miticides (used to control varroa), on Colony Collapse Disorder and other honey bee diseases. Work is underway to evaluate varroa control tactics that do not expose bees to miticides yet reduce mite populations. She is also looking at the potential role of pesticides found in stored honey on Colony Collapse Disorder.

Dr. Rajotte is interested in crop pollination services  provided by Apis and non-Apis bees, especially as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. In addition, he is part of team studying the epidemiology of bee viruses.

Dr. Tumlinson and his students are investigating the chemical ecology and behavior of the small hive beetle, a recently introduced pest of bees.  The small hive beetle is attracted to volatile organic compounds, including the honey bee alarm pheromone.  Several of these attractive compounds, including the alarm pheromone, are produced by a yeast, which is associated with the beetle and thrives on pollen in the hives.

Dr. Biddinger is working on the conservation of wild populations of Osmia Orchard Bees as supplements to honey bees for orchard pollination and is developing managed populations with Jim and Maryann Frazier.  He has been examining the effects of orchard pesticides on non-Apis pollen bees and developing their use as bioindicators of ecological health in ecologically based IPM programs in apple using only reduced-risk and bio-pesticides for 2 seasons. He is collaborating with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in their survey efforts to develop the first checklist of Pennsylvania bees and in understanding the natural history and importance of the many species of bees found in fruit orchards.

As the senior extension associate specializing in apiculture, Maryann is responsible for honey bee extension throughout the state and cooperatively across the Mid-Atlantic region.  She teaches courses in beekeeping, general entomology and teacher education and is involved in the department's innovative public outreach program.  She is working closely with Dr. Chris Mullin and Dr. Jim Frazier on the potential role of pesticides on declining honey bee health in general and CCD specifically.

Currently, the focus of my research is to understand the epidemiology of RNA viruses in the pollinator community. RNA viruses are emerging as a serious threat to honey bee (Apis mellifera) health and are suspected as one of the major contributors to the recent malady, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), especially the Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). In addition, the recent detection of some of these viruses from bumble bees as well as in in-hive food reserves of honey bees (honey & pollen), suggests a possible much wider environmental spread of these viruses with potential impact on the overall pollinator community.