Scientists have been concerned about the health of honeybees worldwide for years. In 2013, Dr. Ross Miller’s Entomology Lab at the University of Guam Western Pacific Tropical Research Center (WPTRC) began the first honeybee health survey in the region with funding provided by USDA-APHIS.

Research assistant Chris Rosario has logged hundreds of hours collecting samples of bees and sending them off to the US mainland to be tested for the damaging varroa mite. Varroa mites are to bees as ticks are to dogs, a dangerous pest that can compromise the health of the host. Varro mites attach themselves to the body of bees and are spread when infested bees fly into another hive looking to steal some pollen. This is the time mite transfers can occur. 

“The varroa mite has infested bee colonies throughout the U.S. Our hope was that Guam could be declared a varroa-free zone, which would have allowed beekeepers on island to provide stateside beekeepers with queen bees certified to be free of the damaging mite. This could be a lucrative business,” said Miller.  

The varroa mite was found in samples from one bee colony on island, and the infested colony has since been destroyed.  Though the mite was found on Guam, it is still possible for Guam to be declared varroa free.

“We plan to continue sampling the bee population on Guam for at least three to four more years, and if the samples continue to test free of the varroa mite, Guam may be eligible for the varroa-free designation,” explains Rosario.

Honeybees from Saipan and Tinian have not faired as well as honeybees from Guam. There is a high percentage of mites found on the samples from both islands. The presence of the varroa mite on Rota is still unknown, but Rosario will be traveling there soon to obtain samples for testing.

Rosario would like to hear from beekeepers in the region as well as concerned citizens who know where to find wild hives. He can be reached at (671) 487-1640 or at the Entomology Lab at (671) 735-2068. WPTRC researchers continue to promote the health and wellbeing of the plants, animals and people in the region. For more information, please visit www.wptrc.org.