How do we get there from here?: Using big data as a roadmap to understand migratory beekeeping Vanessa Corby-Harris Kirk E. Anderson USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center Tucson, Arizona, USA

ND ID CA Honey production Overwintering Almond Pollination PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE ANDERSON LAB AND INDUSTRY Specific Cooperative Agreements w/ Browning Honey, Paramount Farms Hives merge with a migratory operation Proceeds fund research Advisors – Randy Oliver and Gordon Wardell

What is “big data”? 1) Obtain large data sets (DNA sequence, gene expression, GIS) 2) Computationally analyze the data 3) Reveal interesting patterns and associations Pros Reveals previously unknown patterns Looks the whole system, not just isolated components – 3 genes vs. 18,542 genes Cons Expensive Poor experimental design What to do with this information?

YES, if… 1)the experiment is meaningful addresses an actual problem (i.e., nutrition, Varroa, Nosema, re- emergence of EFB) 2) we follow through translate into solutions Can big data help us solve problems?

Anderson lab framework Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable 1)Malnutrition 2)Beneficial bee bacteria

vanEnglesdorp et al. (2010), JAR Starvation is linked to colony loss Gallant AL, Euliss NH, Browning Z (2014), PLoS One

Example 1. How does malnutrition affect young bees? Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable 190 million genetic signals Add bees to 3 colonies restricted to each diet for up to 8 days Honey + beebread = well-fed Honey (no beebread) = malnourished Fat body HG © A. Tofilski

Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Example 1. How does malnutrition affect young bees? Active degradation of hypopharyngeal glands. Starved bees have reduced: Detoxification ability Immunity Brood food (MRJP) production Motor function Chitin metabolism

Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Example 1. How does malnutrition affect young bees? Extend this approach to migratory hives… Hypotheses: 1)Malnutrition affects the hive as a whole. Stage-dependent effects 2)Supplemental diets only partially lessen the cost of poor nutrition. Can we impart beneficial qualities of natural forage to supplements? Active degradation of hypopharyngeal glands. Starved bees have reduced: Detoxification ability Immunity Brood food (MRJP) production Motor function Chitin metabolism

Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Example 1. How does malnutrition affect young bees? Supplement Fat body HG Nutritional profile Gene expression, nutritional status + components of interest (lipids, p-coumaric acid) © A. Tofilski ≥ 2 brood cycles

Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Idaho, Fall 2014

Probiotics have long been added to human and animal feed Probiotics improved weight gain and reduced mortality rate. (Mohnl et al., 2006)

Example 2. Can bacteria be used to help bees? Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Alpha 2.2 is found in fall beebread.

Example 2. Can bacteria be used to help bees? Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Alpha 2.2 is one of the few bacteria found in young larvae. Alpha 2.2 Lactobacillus kunkeei Lactobacillus Firm5 Bacillus sp. 1 st instar 2 nd instar 3 rd instar 4 th instar 5 th instar Vojvodic et al. 2013

Example 2. Can bacteria be used to help bees? Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Alpha 2.2 is abundant in the HGs and RJ. Does Alpha 2.2 impact larval and colony health?

Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Example 2. Can bacteria be used to help bees? Alpha 2.2 strain C6 improves the survival of larvae in the lab.

Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable Example 2. Can bacteria be used to help bees? Colony health? Overwintering?

Alpha 2.2 reduces Nosema burden by ~40% Nosema burden (spores/bee x 10 9 ) Alpha 2.2 Negative (no bacteria) Brood frames sampled from 10 hives per treatment (Alpha + or Alpha -) <18h bees inoculated with 10,000 spores in sugar water Individuals dissected at 12 days post-inoculation Bees inoculated with sugar water alone had ~ x 10 9 spores N = 10 per treatment t-test p =

Can big data help us solve problems? Perform initial experiments Generate “big data” Identify trends Generate testable hypotheses Test hypotheses in the lab/field Redesign or retest Deliverable YES!!! If we… Design relevant experiments. Think about the deliverable. Cooperate with beekeepers. Follow through!

Thank you! Zac Browning Randy Oliver Gordon Wardell CSBA National Honey Board

Kirk Anderson 8 am Friday Magic Kingdom 4

TUCSON BEE LAB OPEN HOUSE Where: USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center Tucson, Arizona When: Friday, March 13 th, 2015 RSVP: Anita Rowlands