Agricultural Research Service

Honey Bees Provide Critical Pollination Services to Agricultural Crops, Valued at Over $16 Billion Annually to the U.s. Economy.but, Despite the Need for Honey Bees to Pollinate Crops for a Growing Human Population, Commercial Beekeepers Struggle Tokeep Colonies Alive, Having Experienced the Highest Ever Documented Winter Losses (>40%, on Average) From 2018-2019. Mostlosses Were Attributed to Poor Nutrition, as Well as High Varroa Mite and Viral Pathogen Loads. in Times of Nectar Dearth Duringthe Summer Season, Lack of Resource Availability Often Leads to Poor Colony Nutrition, Which Consequently Impacts the BEES'ABILITY to Respond to Pathogens. Our Overall Research Objective Is to Determine If Different Macronutrient Ratios in Honey Bee Dietscan Increase the Survivorship and Expression Level of Genes Important for Development, Growth, and Immunity of Bees Infectedwith Either Nosema Ceranae or Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Through Two Objectives: 1) Identify an Optimal Macronutrient Ratiofor Normal, Uninfected Honey Bees Using Caged, Laboratory Environments. 2) Determine If Offering Different Macronutrient Ratiosin Diets Can Affect the Survivorship, Physiology, and Expression Level of Genes Important for Growth, Development, and Immunityin Bees Infected With Either N. Ceranae or DWV. by Optimizing Macronutrient Ratios in Diets, We Aim to Mitigate the Damagingeffects of Different Pathogens Throughout the Year by Creating Supplemental Diets That Can Help Colonies Self-medicate, Toimprove Colony Health. This Will Help Ensure That the Demand for Pollination Services for Agricultural Operations Is Met to Helpprotect AMERICA'S Food Security.