Diagnostic tools for honey bee diseases online learning module
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EmailAn interactive online learning tool helps veterinary practitioners and beekeepers identify and diagnose common honey bee diseases and parasites.
A new online learning module, Diagnostic Tools for Honey Bee Diseases, covers common honey bee diseases and parasites. Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, University of Florida and University of Minnesota developed the tool to teach veterinary practitioners the visual signs of common honey bee ailments, how to differentiate them, and ways to diagnose each one. Veterinary practitioners and beekeepers can use the tool to learn at their own pace by interacting with videos, photos and games. The tool’s intended audience is veterinarians, veterinary students and veterinary technicians, but beekeepers of varying levels of experience may find the diagnostic tool educational and helpful.
Michigan State University is working with Texas A&M University, University of Florida and University of Minnesota to develop training materials, host online content and provide hands-on clinics for veterinary practitioners. Resources are posted to the Bees Need Vets webpage.
Why do honey bees need veterinary medicine?
Honey bees can be affected by viral, fungal and bacterial diseases, and like other livestock, need access to medical care and treatments. Veterinarians trained in honey bee medicine are needed to provide beekeepers access to antibiotics for honey bees. In 2017, changes in the federal code required beekeepers to receive an order from a veterinarian to access antibiotics for honey bee colonies. Prior to these changes, beekeepers had been able to access these medications directly from beekeeping supply companies.
Trained veterinarians are not only needed to provide access to antibiotics for honey bees but also to help address other issues with the honey bee health crisis, including optimizing nutrition and managing parasites. It can be difficult for beekeepers to find good care for their colonies since honey bee medicine is not covered in most veterinary schools.
Michigan State University’s Supporting Beekeepers & Protecting Pollinators Impact Report describes its work to train veterinarians, veterinary students and veterinary technicians in honey bee medicine so they can serve beekeeper clients and support honey bee health.
Diagnostic Tools for Honey Bee Diseases Online Learning Module
Acknowledgements
The Diagnostic Tools for Honey Bee Diseases online learning module is credited to Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Florida and Texas A&M University.
This work is created with funding from the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) Education, Extension, and Training (EET) competitive grants program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) (2202-04170) and the USDA NIFA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Research and Education Grant program (LNC22-468).
