Parasitic mites and bee diseases are decimating populations of honeybees nationwide. Varroa mites have had a catastrophic effect on populations of both managed and feral bee colonies, and the repercussions have been felt by beekeepers, the beekeeping industry and U.S. agriculture alike. There are few chemical controls available to address these problems, and resistance to those available compounds is occurring. In order to reduce pesticide use by beekeepers and prevent the contamination of bees wax and other hive products by pesticide residues, we propose to identify and develop delivery systems for plant essential oils that can be used as miticides, bactericides and fungicides in honey bee colonies. We will also test for possible accumulation of the essential oils in wax comb and hive products and determine if the oils have deleterious side effects on the honey bee colony.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research::Phase I research will yield at least five essential plant oils that are effective in controlling parasitic mites in honey bee colonies. A reliable and effective delivery system will have been developed to get the oils into the colonies and methodologies will have been tested and proven to monitor the impact of these oils on both the mite populations and the bees in the colony. Effective collaborations will have been developed between S.A.F.E. Ecological Pest Management, the USDA Bee Laboratory, Tucson, Arizona, Pennsylvania State Bee Laboratory, and Innovative Formulations Corporation. All of the above will be in preparation for Phase II.
