A number of problems plague the beekeeping industry in the US, relating to diseases, pest mites and genetic (inbreeding) issues. We describe a breeding program underway to address these problems through simultaneous selection for traits of apicultural significance. These include hygienic behavior, honey production, disease resistance and temperament. Preliminary data from 2 years of initial selection is presented. Integration of the program into a larger -scale collaborative breeding effort between Cornell University and Washington State University is discussed.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (honey bee)
Keywords: selection, genetics
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