Detecting Illness: Advances in Health Monitoring Technology

Beekeeping in the United States is facing an unprecedented crisis, as beekeepers report losses exceeding fifty-five percent of managed colonies—an all-time high since tracking began in 2011. This staggering figure has raised alarms within the agricultural community, necessitating immediate attention to the health and sustainability of honey bee populations. Recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Vermont has spotlighted an innovative approach to enhancing honey bee resilience through a method aimed at breeding colonies that exhibit superior disease resistance.

The mounting evidence of severe bee losses is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing this critical species. Samantha Alger, the director of the Vermont Bee Lab and lead author of a groundbreaking study, emphasizes that these losses have reached levels that many beekeepers describe as overwhelming and unsustainable. Historically, during the 1980s, colonies suffered losses of only ten to twelve percent each year; however, current rates hover dramatically higher, prompting existential concerns for beekeepers reliant on the stability of these populations. The stark reality of these statistics resonates with farmers across the agricultural spectrum, as such loss rates would be inconceivable for any other livestock sector.

Despite these concerning statistics, honey bee populations managed by beekeepers are somewhat stabilized due to their diligent efforts to breed new hives resilient to disease. However, the constant need to replace lost colonies requires substantial resources and time—often drawing neglect away from native pollinators whose populations are also declining. Amid this backdrop, Alger’s lab focuses on aiding beekeepers by developing hardier strains of honey bees that can withstand various pathogens. Key to this mission is the identification of disease-resistant traits, namely hygienic behavior, which is crucial in bee populations’ capacity to manage brood health.

The concept of hygienic behavior in bees refers to their innate ability to detect and remove unhealthy brood from the hive. Alger points out the pressing need for beekeepers to identify colonies that demonstrate these traits effectively. Increased resistance to disease in bee colonies often hinges on natural behaviors rather than reliance on chemical treatments, a shift that is both preferable from an ecological standpoint and beneficial to the bees themselves. This innovative approach strives to reduce not only the pathogen load in hives but also the susceptibility of both managed and wild bee populations.

Recent findings derived from the University of Vermont’s research indicate that a novel tool, known as the Unhealthy Brood Odor (UBeeO) test, presents a viable method for assessing hygienic behavior among honey bee colonies. This test, initially developed by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, leverages synthetic pheromones that imitate the scents released by sick or dying bees, thereby providing a new means of evaluating colonies’ resistance to various pests and diseases that pose significant threats to bee health.

Alger’s team has recognized the potential of the UBeeO test, which is particularly adept at identifying colonies resistant to pathogens such as Vairimorpha, commonly recognized as Nosema—a notorious disease affecting adult bees. The research published in Frontiers in Bee Science outlines the efficacy of the UBeeO test, standing as a promising solution to an urgent issue besieging the beekeeping community. Prior methods utilized a freeze brood assay, which involved freezing sections of the brood to observe hygienic behavior in response. However, the UBeeO test offers a more refined approach by exposing the bees to odors that resonate with those of diseased brood rather than artificially creating dead specimens.

Wagoner, who co-developed the UBeeO test, explains that the chemicals mimicking sick brood facilitate a more realistic assessment of bees’ abilities to manage crime within their hive. This method presents a significant leap forward in detecting early signs of disease, with implications that extend beyond hygiene but into overall colony management and health. The test not only enhances the beekeeper’s ability to gauge colony fitness but also serves as an innovative breeding tool to help produce more resilient strains of honey bees that are less reliant on chemical treatments for disease control.

Adopting UBeeO technology represents a significant advancement in understanding the subtleties of hygienic behavior among bees. Research focusing on this approach has been conducted across varying geographical locations, including Vermont, North Carolina, and even Australia, to assess the test’s overall effectiveness. The findings indicate that higher UBeeO scores correlate with lower levels of disease load among colonies, enabling beekeepers to make informed breeding decisions aimed at ensuring robust honey bee populations.

The discovery of thresholds regarding bee responsiveness in detecting various pathogens marks an important milestone in understanding bee health dynamics. For instance, data from Australian colonies reveal that a mere thirteen percent response on the UBeeO test is sufficient to indicate resilience to the chalkbrood fungus. Conversely, the response needed to indicate resistance to Varroa mites is significantly higher—a stark reminder of the differing challenges posed by various diseases.

Continued research and application of the UBeeO test and other innovative methodologies will be paramount in preserving the integrity of honey bee populations. Not only are these efforts necessary for sustaining the global food supply—depending heavily on pollination services—but they also support biodiversity and ecological balance. Through rigorous study and collaboration across institutions, the future of beekeeping could see a shift towards more sustainable and resilient practices that honor the bees’ vital role in our ecosystems.

As the beekeeping community navigates these tumultuous waters wrought with challenges, the insights provided by the University of Vermont’s study and the advancement of tools like the UBeeO test illuminate the path forward. In a world where climate change, habitat loss, and disease do their utmost to destabilize bee populations, embracing innovative solutions is essential for ensuring their survival and, subsequently, that of many agricultural systems globally.

By nurturing a symbiotic relationship between beekeepers and these innovative methodologies, we cultivate a path toward resilience in honey bee populations. This collaborative spirit underpins the essence of scientific discovery, illuminating the possibilities of what can be achieved when we unite efforts for a common cause—the health of our ecosystems and the creatures that sustain them.

Subject of Research: Honey bee disease resistance and hygienic behavior
Article Title: Unhealthy Brood Odor (UBeeO) scores predict pathogen loads of several important honey bee diseases
News Publication Date: April 2, 2025
Web References: 10.3389/frbee.2025.1509871
References: Frontiers in Bee Science
Image Credits: Joshua Brown
Keywords: honey bees, disease resistance, UBeeO, hygienic behavior, beekeeping, pathogens, agriculture, Vairimorpha, Varroa mites, ecological balance, sustainability, pollination services

Tags: agricultural sustainability issuesbeekeeping challengesbeekeeping crisis in the U.S.breeding resilient bee coloniesdisease resistance in beesfuture of beekeeping in Americahoney bee health monitoringhoney bee population declineimpact of bee losses on agricultureinnovations in bee health technologystatistics on bee colony lossesVermont Bee Lab research