Central State University Bee Research Lab

12/08/2025

08/06/2025

We got the news that the USDA ARS Bee Lab in Beltsville, Maryland may be closed soon. The lab's service is so important for many stakeholders and beekeepers nationwide. We ask your support to keep this lab running!

Details about their outstanding research and service are here:
https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-barc/beltsville-agricultural-research-center/bee-research-laboratory/

The USDA Secretary has announced the opening of a 30-day public comment period for stakeholders to provide feedback on the Department’s reorganization plan (see message below). Everyone can submit comments to [email protected] emphasizing the vital importance of keeping the Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville.

Reasons to keep this lab:

Seasonal Climate for Research
Beltsville's four-season climate is essential for studying overwintering losses and seasonal disease dynamics—key factors in U.S. colony declines.

Strategic Biosecurity
Its location away from major beekeeping centers reduces the risk of disease spread, allowing safe, controlled research on high-risk pathogens.

Ecological and Agricultural Diversity
Maryland’s diverse ecosystems and proximity to major agricultural regions support realistic testing of nutrition, pesticide exposure, and pollination services.

The Beltsville lab provides unique and irreplaceable research conditions. Closing it would severely impact our ability to support pollinator health nationwide.

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06/04/2025

https://www.centralstate.edu/news/central-state-university-hosts-6th-annual-queen-rearing-and-grafting-workshop

Central State University’s Bee Research Lab welcomed 10 beekeeping enthusiasts for a two-day Queen Rearing and Grafting Workshop.

04/18/2025

We are hiring a part-time molecular research technician!

The part-time molecular technician will support laboratory research focused on insect genomics, genetics, and molecular biology for 1890 Land Grant Research. The technician will work closely with research scientists and students, contributing to cutting-edge studies, work collaboratively with resear...

04/18/2025

Congratulations if you are selected to participate in our 6th CSU Queen Rearing and Grafting Workshop! See you in May!

Event Time: TBA Thu-Fri in the end of May or beginning of June of 2025 Event Address: 1685 U.S. 42, Xenia, Ohio 45385 Workshop focus: We aim to train about 25 experienced beekeepers on queen grafting, queen rearing, genetics, and behavior. We provide hands on practices in the field, a quiz, & a cert...

04/18/2025

https://entomologytoday.org/2025/04/03/hitching-ride-new-mite-vex-beekeepers-tropilaelaps-mercedesae/ New research from Auburn University Bees

A new study shows for the first time that Tropilaelaps mercedesae mites can hitch a ride on adult honey bees and spread to other colonies.

04/18/2025

https://entomologytoday.org/2025/04/03/hitching-ride-new-mite-vex-beekeepers-tropilaelaps-mercedesae/

A new study shows for the first time that Tropilaelaps mercedesae mites can hitch a ride on adult honey bees and spread to other colonies.

04/16/2025

Our new article, Standard methods and good practices in Apis honey bee omics research, published in Journal of Apicultural Research, Volume 64 Issue 2, is now available
https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/8SZEMJICVPCUBFMS6ZQQ/full?target=10.1080/00218839.2025.2455852 North Central Region SARE Central State University

In the past decades, COLOSS members have joined forces multiple times to develop and condense standard methods related to research on honey bees, their pests, pathogens, and colony products. This l...

02/25/2025

2025 American Beekeeping Federation Foundation competition! Contest rules and essay requirements can be found here: https://preservationofhoneybees.org/essays/ Essays must be judged at the state level, and the highest-scoring essay will be forwarded to the national competition. Interested 4-H members should submit their essays via email to CSU 4-H staff! https://www.centralstate.edu/academics/science/extension/4-H/4-H-staff

02/22/2025

The 6th CSU Queen Rearing and Grafting Workshop application link is open now till March 31st!

Event Time: TBA Thu-Fri in the end of May or beginning of June of 2025 Event Address: 1685 U.S. 42, Xenia, Ohio 45385 Workshop focus: We aim to train about 25 experienced beekeepers on queen grafting, queen rearing, genetics, and behavior. We provide hands on practices in the field, a quiz, & a cert...

02/20/2025

Attend (virtually or in person) a press conference and rally to say “Hands off our healthcare, research, education, and jobs.” This action, cosponsored by the AAUP, will take place at the Department of Health and Human Services at 200 Independence Ave SW in Washington, DC, and includes an online phone banking component for those who cannot attend in person.

The actions across the country on 2/19 are just the beginning of the fight. What’s next? On Tuesday 2/25, we’re taking this massive energy directly to D.C. Register below to join us in-person or online for a viewing party and national phone bank. Join us in-person & online February 19, 2025 * Na...

01/22/2025

We are hiring a part-time summer field assistant! It's 11 weeks long in the summer, and work hours are up to 29 hours per week. Pls apply here !

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Duties include:Performing field and lab research on honeybee behavior and genetics.Assisting with honeybee colony maintenance, queen rearing, breeding, research experiments, workshops, and field day demos.Maintaining the field supplyFacilitating the operation of t...