The Apiary Program

The Department of Entomology currently maintains and operates over 200 colonies distributed in 7 research and teaching apiaries. Field research in the apiaries is centered on projects addressing problems of major importance to Washington beekeepers. Current research in the apiaries include evaluating a specific sugar ester (sucrose octanoate) as an alternative control method for the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and continuing a honey bee selection and breeding program with beekeeper participation. With funds from the USDA-IFAFS program, the WSU selection and breeding program has expanded its focus toward establishing a nationally-based honey bee breeding program and germplasm resource. The enlarged breeding program is coordinated with co-investigators from Cornell University and the USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory.

Research Apiary, Puyallup WA