D3237: Urbanization effects on beekeeper practices Apis mellifera colonies

A total of 18 European honey bee (Apis mellifera) apiaries containing a total of  50 hives were surveyed for beekeeper practices, diseases, and hive productivity in summer, fall, and spring 2021-2022 in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of America. Most pests and pathogens were detected by visual observation. Varroa mites were quantified by “shake” methods with alcohol or sugar. Land use and urbanization data were obtained from the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium. Radii of 1.0km, 1.5km, 3.0km, 5.5km, and 9.5 km were selected based on literature review. 1-3 km were the most typical. Hive productivity was measured by outlining bees on frames from photographs in imageJ, then multiplying the area by 1.38 bees/cm2 (COLOSS Bee Book). Surrounding landscape was shown to have a significant correlation with Varroa and small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) levels, but not hive productivity. Varroa levels decreased, and A. tumida increased with increasing urbanization. 57% of pre-survey beekeepers actively surveyed for Varroa, while all participants agreed to surveys as long as there was a sufficient number of bees.