The effects of urbanization on disease prevalence in managed honey bee hives in Hamilton County, TN

Rapid urban development may increase stress and disease exposure on economically essential organisms, including honey bees. We surveyed 18 apiaries containing 53 hives for diseases and productivity from 2021-2022 in Hamilton County, Tennessee at varying levels of urbanization. Disease levels were analyzed at 1.0km intervals from 0.5-9.5 km radii from each hive. Varroa levels significantly decreased with increased urbanization. There was a weak negative correlation between Varroa load and the likelihood of surviving the study. There was a positive relationship between urbanization and small hive beetle count. A positive relationship existed between small hive beetle counts and increased urbanization. This is significant as it indicates a changing disease ecology based on the degree of urbanization. As both urbanization and the demand for pollination services increase, it is vital to understand how honey bees will adapt to changing environments and pressures.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Jarvis, Caitlin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Beasley, DeAnna
• Aborn, David A.; Chatzimanolis, Stylianos
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Honeybee--Effect of human beings on--Tennessee--Hamilton County
• Honeybee--Diseases--Tennessee--Hamilton County

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/814

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1995