Project Number: 1275-21000-174-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Sep 10, 2003
End Date: Sep 09, 2008

Objective:
Develop new, cost-effective strategies for controlling parasitic mites like Varroa jacobsoni, and bacterial disease like American foulbrood (AFB); Develop molecular markers and determine gene function in honey bees as they relate to disease resistance; Develop molecular techniques to diagnose and characterize pests and pathogens of honey bees.

Approach:
(1) An integrated pest management strategy for controlling parasitic mites of honey bees will be approached by examining the interaction of chemical, cultural and biological (genetic) control methods. (2) Alternative controls for American foulbrood disease examined by screening and evaluating antibiotics against terramycin-resistant bacteria. (3) Use molecular methods, like PCR, for virus diagnosis. (4) Use microsatellite DNA markers to characterize honey bee pests and gene expression arrays to isolate disease-related genes in honey bees.