Bee Center Research

The health of honey bees and native bees is in crisis, posing a significant threat to agriculture and ecosystems worldwide. Bees are essential pollinators, contributing to the production of many crops that humans rely on for food. However, native bee populations are declining and managed honey bee colonies are dying at high levels due to various stressors, including introduced parasites and habitat loss. This has serious implications for food security and biodiversity.

At the Auburn University Bee Center, we are leading several initiatives to address this critical issue. Our mission is to promote the welfare and conservation of bees and other insect pollinators by conducting impactful, solution-based research that is relevant across the U.S. Southeast and facilitating outreach programs for the Auburn University community. This includes a strong partnership with the USDA ARS Stoneville Pollinator Health Research Unit, as well as colleagues at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and in Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics and College of Veterinary Medicine. Jointly, we deliver community programming, run experiments and supervise students.

The Bee Center has several research endeavors toward bee health, including leadership of the annual U.S. Beekeeping Survey, which tracks the status of managed honey bee colony health across the country. This survey has revealed critical insights, such as the exceptional number of colony losses in recent years. These findings inform policymakers and researchers, driving research priorities and shaping agricultural practices.

In addition to honey bee research, we also focus on the ecology and conservation of the hundreds of native bee species found in the southeastern U.S. by investigating how land management practices, invasive plants and habitat restoration influence native pollinators. By working alongside the USDA NRCS, we especially aim to provide practical recommendations for farmers and other land managers to put into practice.

Our efforts have a global focus, such as our research into the honey bee parasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae that is spreading throughout Asia and into Eastern Europe. By leading efforts to understand and manage this mite, we are preparing U.S. beekeepers for its potential arrival, demonstrating our commitment to proactive and preventive measures.

We are also at the forefront of addressing high colony losses by another honey bee parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Through the USDA-supported Specialty Crop Research Initiative, we collaborate with researchers from across the U.S. and Canada to identify new tools and improve application methods for controlling this mite. Our field trials, conducted under typical beekeeping conditions, are a testament to our practical and solution-oriented approach.