Projects
Varroa and Deformed Wing Virus
The Varroa mite arrived to Oahu island in 2008 and subsequently spread to Hawaii island in 2009. The mite introduction to Hawaii led to an increase in the prevalence and virulence of deformed wing virus, while at the same time the strain diversity of this virus was greatly reduced.
Our team continues to monitor how the introduction of the mite and the subsequent spread of viral disease has impacted bee health in Hawaii.
Varroa resistance on Oahu
It has long been reported that Africanized honeybees are highly resistant to the Varroa mite and we are learning that honeybee populations of European ancestry can also develop resistance to the mite. Resistance has now been documented in diverse regions including the UK, Scandinavia, and Cuba, to name a few.
Our team has been documenting the occurrence of hygienic behavioral traits associated with mite resistance on Oahu's bees.
Small hive beetle management
The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) arrived in Hawaii in 2010. The impact of the beetle was exacerbated by the weaken state of the colonies due to the recent introduction the Varroa mite. Since then, the beetle's impact has lessen as the beekeepers have learned to cope with its presence. Our team continues to examine trap use and has recently examined how employing microfiber sheets, as a tool for beetle control, results in the incorporation of microplastic fibers in the bees, and hive products such as wax, and honey.
Hawaii Biosecurity and Africanized Honeybees
The Africanized honeybee is a hybrid between European and African honeybees. It is found in tropical and subtropical areas of the American continent. but it is absent in Hawaii.
Our team is collaborating with the Hawaii Invasive Species Council in a surveillance and screening program aimed at reducing the likelihood that this bee subspecies arrives to Hawaii.
Bee diet
Honeybee diet is critical to their health, not only is the amount of food important, but the diversity of floral resources that the bees have access to matters tremendously to their overall health. Beekeepers can provide supplemental food to bees to support colony health during stressful periods. Our team has explored how supplemental diets can impact bee health on Oahu's bees.
Out of state and international research
The team has conducted studies in southern Arizona, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Costa Rica.
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