The Department of Entomology currently maintains and operates over 250 colonies distributed in 10 research and teaching apiaries.  Field research in the apiaries is centered on projects addressing problems of major importance to Pacific Northwest (PNW) beekeepers. Current colony health research includes: monitoring seasonal variation in Nosema ceranae infestations, molecular characterization of Nosema species in the PNW, evaluation of interactions between parasites and pathogens and examining sub-lethal effects of chemical residues in the hive and the environment.

As part of the research effort on honey bee colony health in the PNW, a diagnostic laboratory was set up at WSU in 2008 to evaluate submitted samples for the presence and prevalence of parasites and pathogens.  In 2008, over 1800 samples were processed in the diagnostic laboratory, including those obtained from commercial and hobby beekeeper operations and WSU research apiaries.  The diagnostic laboratory continues to operate to provide a service function to PNW beekeepers and has received a substantial portion of its operating expenses directly from  beekeeper donations. 

The WSU honey bee selection and breeding program continues into its 8th year.  The program provides selected honey bee stocks to beekeepers through provision of selected queens to the Washington State Beekeepers Association Collaborative Apiaries.  The WSU breeding program is focused toward developing honey bee stocks that exhibit a measure of resistance or tolerance to common honey bee pathogens and parasites. A related program coordinated by WSU and UC-Davis is designed to enhance US honey bee diversity through importation of honey bee semen from Old World sources, evaluation of progeny and release of germplasm to the queen production industry.