Presentation at 4th NZ Honey Bee Research Symposium

Wednesday 28 June 2023

 APINZ Pre Conference Event

Rotorua

To register https://apinz.org.nz/apinz-conference/

Varroa Resistance Breeding in NZ

This project focuses on Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) testing and breeding, based on six years of practice and a thorough literature review.  Informed by the experiences of successful overseas projects in VSH breeding, we are adapting methods for our NZ conditions.

We propose a framework to expedite the adoption of VSH trait selection and breeding across New Zealand, benefiting beekeepers, queen producers, and breeders.

Our Varroa Resistance Breeding Project aims to achieve the following immediate goals:

1.            Field testing VSH expression in commercial colonies in Canterbury.

2.            Developing a protocol for testing VSH in New Zealand conditions.

3.            Organizing a workshop on VSH and establishing the New Zealand Bee Breeding Association (NZBBA).

Discovering or integrating highly rated VSH bee stock into commercial operations offers an accessible approach for beekeepers to enhance their stock and reduce reliance on miticide treatments.

Rae Butler and Linda Newstrom-Lloyd