Instincts of survival: Exploring hygienic behavior in honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Hygiene is essential to the health and productivity of honeybee colonies. Hygienic behavior a natural defense mechanism allows bees to detect and remove diseased or dead brood, reducing the spread of pathogens such as American Foulbrood, Chalkbrood, and Varroa mites. This behavior helps maintain brood health, improves queen performance, and supports strong population growth. Because hygienic traits are heritable, they are valuable in selective breeding programs aimed at creating more resilient colonies. This study focuses on Ohio honeybee colonies and explores the potential link between two resistance traits: mite-biting and hygienic behavior. Specifically, we ask whether colonies with high Varroa mite-biting behavior also exhibit increased hygienic behavior. We hypothesize a positive correlation between the two traits, suggesting that selecting for one may enhance the other. To test this, we will use the Universal Bee/Odor (UBO) assay to measure hygienic behavior across all colonies, including feral, commercial, and Russian bees. Colonies will be grouped by known mite-biting behavior, and their UBO results will be analyzed statistically. We expect high-biting colonies to show stronger hygienic responses, indicating a possible genetic or behavioral link. This research supports pollinator health by informing breeding programs that strengthen natural resistance traits, reduce reliance on chemical treatments, and improve pollination services vital to agriculture and ecosystems.