Tracking the health of bees

Abstract

Ecosystems and humans are highly dependent on the pollination services of insects, with wild bees and honey bees playing a central role. Honey bees, which are actively cared for and supported by humans, are nevertheless under considerable stress, especially due to the infestation with the Varroa mite and the associated transmission of pathogenic viruses. Wild bees, on the other hand, which can increase the quality of fruit through their way of pollinating, suffer above all from the loss of their natural habitats. Genomic methods make an important contribution to meeting these challenges. For example, they make it possible to measure the effect of agri-environmental measures on the health of wild bees and to assist breeding Varroaresistant honey bees in a targeted manner in order to ensure pollination performance and the stability of ecosystems in the long run.