Assistant Professor University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Honey bees are critical agricultural pollinators. Colony loss is unsustainable in the United States, with a 43.7% mortality between 2019 and 2020. Many compounding factors, such as parasites, pesticides, pathogens, and nutrition influence decreased survival. There is little understanding of how viral infections contribute to symptoms and hive mortality. This study will assess the impacts of nutrition and Varroa mite levels on virus presence and abundance through the summer and fall in Kentucky. Understanding the links between these factors will provide more immediate management recommendations for beekeepers. By utilizing citizen scientists, it is possible to assess hives across a range of environmental conditions while providing important hive health information and establishing a cost-efficient testing service for Kentucky beekeepers.
