Researcher wearing blue gloves uses a plastic measuring tool to examine honey bees on a hive frame during a multi-site field trial comparing Apivar and Apivar 2.0 treatments. Logos of participating universities and research partners appear below the photograph.

About the program

Auburn University, along with 10 nationwide collaborators (Betterbee, Mississippi State University, Oregon State University, Texas A&M University - Bryan, Texas A&M University - Overton, University of Georgia, University of Florida, USDA ARS Baton Rouge Bee Lab, USDA ARS Stoneville Pollinator Unit, and Washington State University) are conducting a multi-site honey bee colony field trial to evaluate Apivar 2.0 versus Apivar for a late-summer varroa mite cleanup treatment. Our goal is to rapidly assess the efficacy and bee safety of Apivar and Apivar 2.0 across multiple regions and environmental conditions by measuring varroa mite infestations, adult bee and brood populations, colony mortality, and whether these interact with environmental conditions.

Contact

Current results as of Oct. 27

We will update this page approximately every 2 weeks as we receive data from our collaborators. Expand the sections below to see current results from each of our collaborators.

Small-multiple graphs comparing average Varroa mite infestation rates before treatment and after four weeks for Apivar (orange) and Apivar 2.0 (black) across 10 research locations. Both treatments showed substantial reductions in mite infestation at several locations, including Auburn and USDA Baton Rouge. Infestation rates varied by location, with little change at some sites. Error bars indicate standard error, and the dashed horizontal line marks the 2% infestation threshold.

Varroa infestations: We are measuring varroa infestations in Apivar- and Apivar 2.0-treated colonies at several timepoints: before treatment (pre), and at weeks 4, 8, 10, and 12 after treatments were first placed in colonies. Points in the graph below show the average infestations in each group of treated colonies each week, and the vertical lines show the standard error of infestations. The horizontal dashed line represents the 2% treatment action threshold for Fall. Colonies with varroa infestations at or above this threshold should receive a varroa treatment according to the Honey Bee Health Coalition.

Line graphs comparing the percentage of live colonies over 12 weeks for two treatments, Apivar (orange circles) and Apivar 2.0 (black squares), across 10 research locations: Auburn, Betterbee, Mississippi State/USDA Stoneville, Oregon State, Texas A&M–Bryan, Texas A&M–Overton, Florida, Georgia, USDA Baton Rouge and Washington State. Both treatments began with approximately 100% live colonies at all locations. At week 4, both treatments maintained approximately 100% survival at most locations. Declines were observed for Apivar at Texas A&M–Overton and USDA Baton Rouge, with Baton Rouge showing the largest decline, to approximately 80%.

Colony mortality: At each inspection, we are recording whether treated colonies are alive or not. Points in the graph below show the proportion of Apivar- and Apivar 2.0-treated colonies alive in each collaborator's apiaries.

Collaborators

This work is supported by funding through USDA ARS cooperative agreement 59-6066-5-014, USDA NIFA SCRI grant 2023-51181-41246, USDA NIFA Hatch Multi-state NC1173, Southern IPM Center grant 2022-70006-38002, the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, and USDA-ARS Stoneville Pollinator Unit Base Funds.

U.S. map marking locations of each of the collaborators on the Apivar 2.0 Nationwide Field Trial.
Contact
Geoff Williams
Geoff Williams
Professor & Bee Center Director
Benedict DeMoras
Benedict DeMoras
Graduate Research Assistant (Honey Bees)