Bee Health is Focus of New National Web Resource
A new Web resource can help the beekeeping industry with new research as well as an amalgamation of science-based information.
Released July 21, 2009
Researchers and educators from America’s land-grant universities, government agencies and industry have banded together to provide a comprehensive resource for science-based information on bee health management strategies. It’s on eXtension, (pronounced E-extension) http://www.extension.org
Pollinating bees are essential members of American agro-ecosystems. The high death rates of bee colonies and the emergence of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) concern many fruit and vegetable producers from home gardeners to commercial growers.
“In these challenging times for the beekeeping industry, with several factors contributing to reductions in pollination, a large cooperative effort is needed among researchers, extension personnel, beekeepers, crop producers and associated industry people to provide answers and solutions that benefit everyone,” said John Skinner, professor at the University of Tennessee and leader of the new eXtension resource that amassed the latest research information about health of all species of bees.
Keith Delaplane, professor at the University of Georgia, explained, “The eXtension concept is a direct response to concerns about information quality on the Internet. Users can access eXtension with the same confidence they access their own state university extension networks. Information published on the bee health Web site represents the best summary opinions of scientific authorities across America. One of the exciting things about working with eXtension is that it represents a practical forum for bee scientists as well as beekeepers.”
The bee health site provides help for new and inexperienced producers, as well as those with experience but who need an answer to a specific question. The site includes answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). If a question cannot be found in the FAQs, eXtension’s “Ask an Expert” feature can be used for a quick response. The site also includes in-depth, peer-reviewed articles covering bee biology and production.
Pollinator losses
In “A Survey of Honey Bee Colonies Losses in the U.S. Between September 2008 and April 2009,” the Apiary Inspectors of America and researchers at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service Beltsville Honey Bee Lab found that colony losses are still high in the majority of operations surveyed. Overall the colony losses were 28.6 percent. This is down from the previous winters of 2007/2008 and 2006/2007 when colony losses were recorded at 35.8 and 31.8 percent respectively. Only 15 percent of colonies died with CCD symptoms this year compared to 60 percent the previous year.
In the 2006 release of the National Research Council report, “Status of Pollinators in North America,” many bees other than the honey bee (non-apis bees) are recognized as important pollinators of crop and non-crop plants. The report identified the need for improved management and disease control of non-apis bees, such as bumble bees and alfalfa leaf cutting bees, as well as conservation strategies in the field.
These losses underline the need to get the most up to date and accurate information to beekeepers as quickly as possible to improve bee health and continue to improve survival. Bee declines are likely a product of negatively interacting factors in pathology, immunology, nutrition, toxicology, genetics, ecosystems management and bee husbandry.
“Declining honey bee health is complex and the answers that are needed to improve colony survival will only come from a concerted effort by a diverse group of scientists, beekeepers, extension specialists and other interested parties working closely together to improve honey bee health,” said Jeff Pettis, research leader at the USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory.
Contributors
Experienced researchers and extension personnel in the United States contributed to the new site. The bee health group decided to begin with a concentration in bee biology as a prerequisite for other topics. Their next focus will be on best management practices, disease and pest information and bee breeding. The experts are based in 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities, other universities, education centers and the USDA-ARS.
24 eXtension resource areas
Bee health is one of many Web communities within eXtension, www.extension.org, a national project of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. Other topic resources include information on the financial crisis; animal manure management; beef cattle; corn and soybean production; cotton production; dairy cattle; disasters; diversity across higher education; entrepreneurs and their communities; families food and fitness; family caregiving; geospatial technology; goats; horses; horticulture; imported fire ants; niche meat processing; organic agriculture; parenting; personal finance; pest management; science, engineering and technology for youth; and wildlife damage management.
eXtension is an educational partnership of more than 70 land-grant universities helping Americans improve their lives with access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational opportunities. eXtension's interactive Web site is customized with links to local Cooperative Extension sites. Land-grant universities were founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that universities should teach liberal and practical subjects and share knowledge with people throughout their states.
Contacts: John Skinner, University of Tennessee, jskinner@utk.edu
Keith Delaplane, University of Georgia, ksd@uga.edu
Jeff Pettis, USDA-ARS, pettisj@ba.ars.usda.gov
Writer: Lynette Spicer, Iowa State University, lynette.spicer@extension.org