Selection for high and low, colony weight gain in the honey bee, Apis mellifera, using selected queens and random males

Calderone, Nicholas W.; Fondrk, M. Kim

doi:10.1051/apido:19910107

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Thus, selected resistance traits should have contributed to balance the host-parasite relationship. Selected lineages matching some of the beekeeper criteria were obtained through relatively simple selection procedures [283][284][285][286][287][288][289], whereas selecting resistance to V. destructor seems much more challenging, suggesting that the relevance of the resistant traits should be reconsidered.…”

Section: Improving Selection Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees

et al. 2020

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Background In spite of the implementation of control strategies in honey bee (Apis mellifera) keeping, the invasive parasitic mite Varroa destructor remains one of the main causes of colony losses in numerous countries. Therefore, this parasite represents a serious threat to beekeeping and agro-ecosystems that benefit from the pollination services provided by honey bees. To maintain their stocks, beekeepers have to treat their colonies with acaricides every year. Selecting lineages that are resistant to infestations is deemed to be a more sustainable approach. Review Over the last three decades, numerous selection programs have been initiated to improve the host–parasite relationship and to support honey bee survival in the presence of the parasite without the need for acaricide treatments. Although resistance traits have been included in the selection strategy of honey bees, it has not been possible to globally solve the V. destructor problem. In this study, we review the literature on the reasons that have potentially limited the success of such selection programs. We compile the available information to assess the relevance of selected traits and the potential environmental effects that distort trait expression and colony survival. Limitations to the implementation of these traits in the field are also discussed. Conclusions Improving our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying resistance to V. destructor to increase trait relevance, optimizing selection programs to reduce environmental effects, and communicating selection outcomes are all crucial to efforts aiming at establishing a balanced relationship between the invasive parasite and its new host.

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Section: Improving Selection Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees

et al. 2020

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“…However, very little proof of genetic progress, which could serve as a commercial argument for the spread of resistant lineages, is available. Selection responses have been determined for several production or behavioural traits in various populations, indicating that colonies suitable for beekeeping can be obtained through relatively simple selection procedures (Altaye et al, 2019;Bar-Cohen et al, 1978;Calderone and Fondrk, 1991;Mackensen and Nye, 1969;Manning, 1996;Moritz et al, 1987;Wilde et al, 2011). The heritability values of these traits are comparable to those of resistance-associated traits (Koffler et al, 2016).…”

Section: Outcomes Of Resistance Selection Programmes: Are We On the Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

Three Decades of Selecting Honey Bees that Survive Infestations by the Parasitic Mite <em>Varroa destructor</em>: Outcomes, Limitations and Strategy

Guichard¹,

Dietemann²,

Neuditschko³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Despite the implementation of control strategies, the invasive parasitic mite Varroa destructor remains one of the principal causes of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses in numerous countries. For this reason, the parasite represents a serious threat to beekeeping and to agro-ecosystems that benefit from the pollination services provided by honey bees. Numerous selection programmes have been initiated over the last three decades with the aim of promoting the establishment of balance in the host–parasite relationship and, thus, helping European honey bees to survive in the presence of the parasite without the need for acaricide treatments. Such programmes have focused on either selective breeding for putative resistance traits or natural selection. To date, no clear overview of these attempts has been available, which has prevented building on past successes or failures and, therefore, hindered the development of a sustainable strategy for solving the V. destructor problem. In the present study, we review past and current selection strategies, report on their outcomes and discuss their limitations. Based on this state-of-the-art knowledge, we propose a strategy for increasing response to selection and colony survival against V. destructor infestations. Developing in-depth knowledge regarding the selected traits, optimising selection programmes and communicating their outcomes are all crucial to our efforts to establish a balanced relationship between the invasive parasite and its new host.

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“…We did this by determining whether GxE occurred when analysing the colony performance of sub-populations of honeybees that were not associated with intensive selection and mass distribution of queens. We considered honey production and spring development, traits that are known to be heritable (Bar-Cohen et al 1978;Bienefeld and Pirchner 1990;Calderone and Fondrk 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in colony phenotypes across different origins and locations: evidence for genotype by environment interactions in the Italian honeybee (Apis mellifera ligustica)?

2012

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International audienceThe aim of this study was to reveal the existence of locally adapted populations of Apis mellifera ligustica. To this end, the spring development and honey production of three sources of A. mellifera ligustica were compared in three Italian habitats differing in flora and climate, in order to investigate interactions between origin of the bees and test environment (GxE). The results from a total of 165 colonies showed significant GxE for the considered traits. Interestingly, for two of the considered origins, colonies produced most when kept in their region of origin. Honey production can be considered a measure of adaptation to environment as it reflects the ability of a colony to make the most profit of the plant nectar sources present in its surroundings. Thereby, this study shows that populations of locally adapted honeybees still exist in Italy, despite widespread use of commercially produced honeybee queens

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Selection for high and low, colony weight gain in the honey bee, Apis mellifera, using selected queens and random males

Cited by 5 publications

References 14 publications

Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees

Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees

Three Decades of Selecting Honey Bees that Survive Infestations by the Parasitic Mite <em>Varroa destructor</em>: Outcomes, Limitations and Strategy

Differences in colony phenotypes across different origins and locations: evidence for genotype by environment interactions in the Italian honeybee (Apis mellifera ligustica)?

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