Student Research Project Aids State Beekeepers

A Fairmont State University student research project gives state beekeepers an opportunity to have bee samples tested for disease for free.

Senior biology major Jessica Balsei is conducting a research project to investigate the distribution and prevalence of Nosema disease in West Virginia honeybee colonies. Dr. Donald Trisel, Professor of Biology, is the faculty advisor for the project. 

"Nosema apis and N. ceranae are being implicated as potentially important contributors to the Colony Collapse Disorder that is causing problems for beekeepers around the world. We are requesting that beekeepers from across WV send us samples of bees for a free microscopic analysis to determine the degree of infestation," Trisel said.

The community service research project will allow individual beekeepers to make informed decisions regarding the management of their colonies. The summary results will also be of interest to beekeepers throughout the region as more is learned about the problems bees are facing.

Trisel will be attending the Sept. 25 Fall Meeting of the West Virginia Beekeepers Association at Jackson's Mill and will be accepting bee samples for free analysis at that time. Samples may also be sent through the mail.  Participating beekeepers will need to complete a short survey to provide additional background information and data for analysis.

For more information, contact Dr. Trisel by e-mail at dtrisel@fairmontstate.edu or by phone at (304) 367-4308. Further information is available online at http://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/biologyprogram/default.asp.