Dr. Kaira Wagoner at UNC Greensboro (UNCG) and colleagues at NC State (especially Yosef Tola) discovered differences in gut microbiota between bees performing hygienic behavior and nestmates performing other tasks. This preliminary work may lead to breakthrough applications, opening new avenues in the fight against the parasite that’s decimating honey bee colonies across North Carolina.
“Over the past year, commercial beekeepers lost over 60% of their honey bee colonies, among the highest losses on record,” says Wagoner, a Research Scientist in the Biology Department at UNCG. She says the primary driver of these losses is the deadly Varroa mite, and growing resistance of the mites to the chemicals commonly used to control their populations.
“Those losses aren’t just devastating for beekeepers; they threaten the $120 million worth of crops that honey bees pollinate annually in North Carolina. Nationwide, that number jumps to nearly $15 billion.”
Now, with support from NCInnovation, Dr. Wagoner will be able to investigate whether probiotics can be used to trigger bees to perform this colony-saving behavior. “In a previous study we found that bees that perform hygienic behavior have differences in their gut microbiota compared to bees from the same colony that do not perform hygiene,” she explains. “This may mean we can develop probiotic supplements that improve honey bee colony mite and disease resistance.”
If successful, the implications are staggering. “We will have access to a new tool to control Varroa mites and related diseases that does not have the negative, sub-lethal side effects associated with existing chemical miticides,” Wagoner says. Even more importantly, it could help colonies that weren’t born with natural resistance genetics. “If we find that this is possible, we will begin development of a very exciting new tool in the fight against Varroa mites, a tool that could help even colonies that do not have the genetic traits associated with pest and disease resistance.”
NCI’s role extends well beyond funding. “It is already evident that NCI will provide tremendous support for this work, beyond just the project funding,” Wagoner explains. The organization has connected Wagoner and her team with human resources support, interns, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and a statewide network of innovators and industry leaders. These relationships lay the groundwork for long-term success that will continue well past the two-year project scope.
The ripple effects go far beyond honey. “It is now known that honey bee viruses spill over to native pollinators through shared floral resources,” Wagoner explains. “As a result, improved honey bee health is likely to have important benefits not only for beekeepers, farmers, and consumers, but also for native pollinators, 500 species of which can be found across North Carolina.
“Healthier bees mean stronger farms, more secure food production, and protection for North Carolina’s diverse pollinator ecosystem.” With NCI’s support, what began as a diagnostic tool is blossoming into a platform of innovations that could change the future of beekeeping, ensuring that honey bees continue their vital role in agriculture and conservation. For Wagoner, the partnership represents hope in an increasingly complex fight. “A sustainable solution to the problem of Varroa is urgently needed and will have significant impacts on crop production and food security on a global scale.”
