The Collapse of Honey Bee Colonies
February 20, 2020
Dr. Ernesto Guzman
Honey bees pollinate crops and wild plants, and their services result in the production of more than 30% of the food we consume in Western societies. More than 30% of honey bee colonies have been lost yearly over the past 12 years, which has economic, ecological and agricultural implications. In this talk, I will present an overview of the potential causes of honey bee colony losses and about the research we are conducting at the University of Guelph to understand and cope with the problem
Bio
Research in Dr Guzman’s lab is focused on three main areas: genetics, behaviour and parasitic mites of honey bees. These studies have contributed to the understanding of foraging behaviour, defensive behaviour and the mechanisms that provide honey bees resistance against parasitic mites, which is the most serious problem facing beekeepers worldwide. Currently, postdoctoral fellows, students and technicians in Dr Guzman’s lab are investigating the effect of parasites and pesticides on the behaviour and immune responses of honey bees.
