Honey Bee and Pollinator Research
Penn State researchers are leading the research investigating the disappearance of honey bees.
The loss of honey bees is a multifaceted problem and is reflected in projects ranging from understanding the incidence and prevalence of viruses and the role of pesticides on bee health and behavior to the role mites have on colony decline, including vectoring disease and impairing the bee immune system.
People specializing in this area
Faculty
Diana Cox-Foster, Ph.D.
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.
James Frazier, Ph.D.
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.
Christina Grozinger, Ph.D.
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.
Chris Mullin, Ph.D.
As a toxicologist, Dr. Mullin looks for evidence that pesticides in bee pollen may be linked to CCD.
Nancy Ostiguy, Ph.D.
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.
Ed Rajotte, Ph.D.
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.
James H. Tumlinson, Ph.D.
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.
