Project Apis m. and North Dakota Honey Promotion Fund Award Grant for Tropilaelaps Trainings Together

Varroa (left), and Tropilaelaps (right). Photo from the APHIS Tropilaelaps info sheet, click photo to view.

Salt Lake City, Utah, October 13, 2023-For Immediate Release
 
Grant Awarded for Tropilaelaps Trainings
Parasitic mites are arguably one of the worst problems for honey bee health. For decades since it was introduced from Asia, beekeepers have fought the Varroa mite. There is another, potentially worse mite in Asia: Tropilaelaps species. This mite is spreading in honey bees but has not yet reached the USA or Canada. Recognizing this alarming risk, Project Apis m. (PAm) spearheaded conversations with beekeepers, bee inspectors, and researchers at an industry meeting in January 2023 and has since been calling for proposals to support training and research on Tropilaelaps. Four projects funded through PAm, using Healthy Hives, National Honey Board, and PAm funds include studies on Tropilaelaps biology, developing various ways to treat and control these mites, and studying the viruses they carry.

Today, PAm is happy to announce a fifth project that will be supported with National Honey Board funds as well as funds from the North Dakota Honey Promotion Fund. Regarding this effort, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said, “If Tropilaelaps were introduced into the United States, we could expect it to spread quickly across the nation if left unchecked. Early detection and development of a strategic response plan is critical to stop Tropilaelaps. These combined efforts are intended to prepare apiary inspectors and the beekeeping industry to act quickly if Tropilaelaps is found in the U.S. and arm beekeepers with effective tools against this mite.”
 
The project is led by Geoff Williams at Auburn University, with the Apiary Inspectors of America, and cooperators in Thailand. The proposal will provide for training events and outreach materials offered this year and next to stakeholders including apiary inspectors and beekeepers.  
 
To learn about this mite, watch a recent presentation about this mite by Dr. Ramsey here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIhvHavThxA&t=3854s
 
All projects that PAm and NDHP have funded in this database: https://beehealthcollective.org/research

Questions may be directed to:
Grace Kunkel
Community Impact Manager
Project Apis m.
grace@projectapism.org
 
About Project Apis m.:
Project Apis m. (PAm) is the go-to organization at the interface of research, honey bees, and agriculture. Since 2006, we have infused over $11 million into honey bee research and $3 million into forage programs, resulting in science-driven resources for bees and beekeepers. We work closely with commercial beekeepers, growers, and scientists in the USA and Canada to identify challenges as they arise. We then fund projects and direct strategic efforts focused on practical questions. PAm offers graduate scholarships to develop the next generation of bee scientists and has expanding efforts to put forage on the landscape where bees need it most. We are a 501(c)5 nonprofit organization governed by a Board of commercial beekeepers and other agricultural stakeholders. A volunteer Science Advisory Committee of well-established honey bee research scientists helps guide our selection of rigorous, applied projects. We are proud to be collaborative, practical, accountable, efficient, and flexible. Learn more about us at www.ProjectApism.org 

About the North Dakota Honey Promotion Fund Award:
The honey fund is authorized by chapter 4.1-08 of the North Dakota Century Code. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) fund collects a honey assessment of $0.10 for every honey bee colony registered in the state and deposits it into a fund called the honey fund. Authorized uses of this fund include “research, including efforts that focus on honeybee colony health; education programs; and market development efforts, as well as promotional efforts such as the North Dakota honey queen program.” The Honey Bee Research Advisory Committee consists of beekeepers and a scientific advisor. The commissioner appoints three members that belong to the North Dakota Beekeepers Association Board of Directors, three additional North Dakota beekeepers and one scientific advisor. https://www.ndda.nd.gov/honey-bee-research-and-promotion-grants