Dr Marla Spivak’s research in the Spivak Honey Bee Lab focuses on colony health and survivorship through honey bees’ natural and collective behavioral defenses called “social immunity”. Their goal is for the U.S. beekeeping industry to propagate bee stocks that demonstrate multiple traits of resistance against pathogens and parasites, and thus reduce the need for human intervention.

Dr. Spivak will discuss honey bee social immunity and hygienic behavior. She will share research regarding the collection and formation of resins into a propolis envelope within the hive that acts as an important antimicrobial layer and the benefits for bee colonies.

SPEAKER DETAILS

Marla Spivak, Ph.D., Entomologist, MacArthur Fellow and Distinguished McKnight University Professor in Entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural and and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota

Dr. Spivak’s research efforts focus on protecting and enhancing the health of honey bees, and on propagating floral rich landscapes to support all pollinators. Dr. Spivak also leads the Spivak Honey Bee Lab. CBA is honored to welcome her to our guest speaker program.

Learn More: https://beelab.umn.edu/spivak-lab