Biology and protection of the bee

Membres

Yves Le Conte, DR

Cedric Alaux, CR

Maryline Pioz, CR

Anne Dalmon, IR

Fanny Mondet, IR

Virginie Diévart, AI

Didier Crauser, TR

Dominique Beslay, TR

Célia Bordier, PhD

Marianne Coulon, PhD

The objectives of the Biology and Protection of the Bee (BPA) are threefold:

1.  study the impact of environmental stress on bee populations,
2.  development of operational solutions to improve health,
3.  deepen knowledge on the biology of bees, a prerequisite for a better understanding of their decline.

Environmental stress in bees

-Evaluation of the impact of parasites (Nosema ceranae and Varroa destructor) and viruses on physiology, immunity (individual medium and social)

and behavior of bees;   

- Evolution of genetic diversity and characterization of virus pathogenicity;
- Characterization of viral diversity;
- Impact of the availability of pollen resources on bee health;
- Interactions between stressors;
- Epidemiological monitoring of stressors.

Monitoring and protection of bees

-Development of tools for automatic monitoring of bee activity;
- Development of connected hives;
- Search for health biomarkers of bees and colonies;
- Testing of preventive or anti-virus methods;
- Detection and selection of strains resistant to varroa;
- Influence of food supplements (probiotics) on the health of bees.

Biology of bees

- Ecophysiological responses to changes in the environment (climate, availability of food resources) ;

- Sensitivity and plasticity of stress responses;

- Social communication ;

- Identification and characterization of new pheromones.