New! All information about Bee diseases on one site: www.bijenziekten.wur.nl
Like all organisms, honey bees are susceptible to various diseases. This means that bee health is an important aspect of beekeeping. Bees@wur is on an international level working on various diseases and in doing so contributes to a healthy bee population in the Netherlands.
Our disease research focuses on:
Varroa
The varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a serious problem in apiculture worldwide, and thus also in the Netherlands. Colonies die if mites are not controlled. Bees@wur contributes to varroa control with practical solutions. Current research focuses on integration of varroa control in existing bee management practices.
>> Read more about varroa and its control: www.varroa.wur.nl
Winter mortality of winter colony loss
High bee colony mortality in the United States raised alarm in the media in spring 2007. Colony loss had already before been observed in Europe.
In March 2007 bees@wur welcomed 32 scientists from 15 countries in Wageningen to form a new working group (COLOSS). This group investigates the possible causes of colony losses.
A survey held in 2005 and 2006 showed that in particular beekeepers themselves can contribute to the health of their bees. This had earlier been established in research by German colleagues.
Bees@wur searches for practical solutions to support beekeepers in keeping strong and healthy bees.
American and European foul brood
American foul brood (AFB) and European foul brood (EFB) are occasionally occurring infectious diseases of the European honey bee. AFB may destroy bee colonies and is highly infectious. Furthermore AFB is notifiable under Dutch law and must be reported. There is, however, no government obligation to actually control the disease. This is a task of the beekeepers. Bees@wur has drawn up protocols for controlling AFB and EFB.
New bee diseases
Over the last 300 years European honey bees (Apis mellifera) have been spread from Europe 
all over the world. The introduction of this species in exotic places resulted in local diseases and parasites moving from their original host (other bee species) to the European honey bee. When these bees were brought back to Europe, all sorts of diseases were introduced as well. The varroa mite is the best known example. European legislation has been drawn up to prevent the introduction of other exotic bee diseases. Especially the threatening introduction of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) and the Asian mite (Tropilaelaps sp.) must be prevented (Photo: Tropilaeps clareae). The Netherlands government has charged bees@wur with the screening of imported bees for these diseases.
More bee diseases exist. Bees@wur currently focuses on the problems mentioned above.
Bee samples
As a service to beekeepers bees@wur diagnoses dead bee samples.
>> Read more about Dead bee diagnosis