Improving disease resistance and queen quality of managed Apis mellifera jemenitica Rutter colonies in Saudi Arabia

The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is an economically important pollinator that is used for agricultural production throughout the world. Due to their importance for food security, honey bee colonies of various subspecies are managed in practically every country worldwide to ensure that their crops are provided with sufficient pollination. In Saudi Arabia, the native subspecies, Apis meillfera jemenitca, is prized due to its heat tolerance, allowing for more efficient foraging during the intense summer heat. But, despite being well adapted to its native geography and environment, A. m. jemenitica still faces common viral and parasitic stressors that can impact colony health and efficiency. Due to the traditional beekeeping techniques practiced in Saudi Arabia, many colonies that exhibit high Varroa mite infestation levels go untreated. Working with collaborators at King Khalid University in Abha, Saudi Arabia, we will establish the prevalence and intensity of V. destructor and Nosema infestations in managed colonies along the Southwestern region of the Red Sea. Additionally, and most importantly, for the first time ever we will screen colonies for the presence and prevalence of common honey bee-associated viruses throughout Saudi Arabia's apiaries. This work will build the foundation going forward when constructing a breeding program to improve the health and productivity of managed A. m. jemenitica colonies.