I believe you have experience with Apis mellifera scutellata, the African bee, tell us more please.
Currenly, Apis mellifera scutellata is not an issue in Louisiana. We have completed work here at the bee lab to define defensive behavior markers. I worked with Australia to screen for africanized bees.
How do you include your family and friends in your beekeeping journey?
My family always asks “how are the bees?” My children do visit the honey bee lab. My daughter developed a science fair project (a nosema study) that was very successful in competition. She came in second place in the Louisiana State Science Fair. She is studying to become a high school biology teacher.
Lanie, what is the most important thing you have learned so far about honey bees?
That teamwork is the key to thriving!
Which classes on beekeeping have you taken so far, Lanie?
The technicians here at the honey bee lab are fantastic. I have learned most of what I know about beekeeping from them. Its been a great journey.
I understand you attend many different beekeeping industry conferences, tell us more!
I attend the yearly conferences of the Louisiana Beekeepers Association, Mississippi Beekeepers Association and ABF or AHPA as often as I am able. There is always so much to learn and share at these conferences. They are a great opportunity to talk to beekeepers and connect with the Industry.
Lanie, you have experience with different races of bees, what types and why?
We have several stocks of honey bees that we manage and use in our research and breeding work. Some of them are Italian, POL line, Hilo, Saskatraz and Russian. We compare stocks of bees in much of our research.
Since you’re not a migratory beekeeper, how do you overwinter honey bees in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
We leave honey in the Winter for our hives and supplement their feed when needed, using pollen patties and sugar syrup. We are working with microalgae as an alternative nutritional source. We are also assessing the affects of cold storage in buildings in Russian honey bees.
Please tell us how you captured your first swarm of honey bees?
I, myself, have not captured a swarm. Here at the Honey Bee Lab, when our bees swarm, we catch them.
What is your greatest success in your beekeeping journey?
I can say that the Nosema assay and the Russian bee genetic stock identification have been a big success.
What is your greatest challenge in your beekeeping journey?
Trying to breed bees that are resistant to Nosema ceranae. We tried to develop Nosema resistance for two years, but did not have success. Nosema is so variable that is a bear to deal with.
Lanie, last question: What are your goals for the next five (5) years? With your bees and your bee journey?
I hope that in the next five (5) years we will be close to releasing our next stock. We are working to enhance multiple traits. We desire to expand our world class research programs here at USDA. We are always looking for ways to collaborate with other research groups. Last, we hope to have more interviews with our fantistic team here at the Baton Rouge Honey Bee Lab. There is a lot of opportunity here.
Thank you so very much Dr. Bilodeau for taking the time to share your bee journey with Bee Culture Magazine. It was wonderful speaking to you.
