Workshop at Apiculture NZ Conference and Trade Show 2023

3pm Friday 30 June 2023

Room 2

Rotorua Energy Events Centre

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

Enhancing VSH for improved varroa resistance in bee colonies.

This workshop aims to equip beekeepers with the knowledge and techniques to enhance Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) in their bee colonies.  Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of VSH and methods to detect, test, measure, and evaluate the VSH trait. 

The VSH trait is naturally present at low levels (~ 10 %) in bee populations worldwide, including New Zealand.  It is not limited to a specific pedigreed bee stock; it is a trait that can be discovered in any bee stock or transferred to any bee stock.  Queen breeders can amplify the trait through instrumental insemination, expediting the selection process.

Understanding how VSH combats and controls Varroa helps beekeepers, queen producers and queen breeders to increase VSH levels throughout New Zealand.  Learning rapid simple methods to predict, recover and confirm VSH, creates a nationwide network that promotes sustainable and readily available bees highly resistant to Varroa. 

This workshop offers powerful tools for queen breeders and producers as well as beekeepers to add to integrated pest management strategies for New Zealand.  Join us to learn how to harness the best science and practices to cultivate VSH-based varroa resistance in your own colonies.

Rae Butler and Linda Newstrom-Lloyd