Dr. Marla SpivakDistinguished McKnight Professor, University of Minnesota,

and MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award Recipient

Your breakfast without bees

Scientific American April 2009

Value of crops in US that depend on pollination:

>18.9 billion ($217 billion worldwide)

Agri- Growth Council Lunch Without Bees

Nutritional requirements of all bees:

Flowers• Pollen - protein• Nectar – carbs• Water

Parasites

Viruses

Poor nutrition

EnvironmentalPesticides

In-HivePesticides

Gut pathogens

Colony Collapse Disorder

Colony Collapse DisorderInteraction of pathogensEffects of neonicotinyls pesticides on bees

Bee Breeding

Landscape Effects on Nutritional Health of Honey and Native Bees

Propolis (plant resins)Benefits to bee immune systemChemistry and value as antimicrobial to humans

Our Research Projects

What can you do?

Plant flowers!

• Reduce use of pesticides

• Encourage roadside plantings of flowers

• CRP land: flower seed mixtures to bloom over season

Please help increase public awareness about the benefits of pollinators

Thank you!www.extension.umn.edu/honeybees