Honey Bee Colony Mortality: Lessons Learned from Two Decades of Scientific Research
Dr. Robyn Underwood, Penn State Extension Educator Photo by Don Seifrit Jr.
We are excited to present Dr. Robyn Underwood as the Keynote Speaker for LVEES 2025. Dr. Underwood received her BSc in Entomology and Applied Ecology from the University of Delaware and her PhD in Entomology from the University of Manitoba. As Penn State’s Extension Educator of Apiculture, she conducts scientific research projects to study beekeeper-applied questions and brings the results of the projects to the beekeepers through extension products with an aim to improve the industry while making beekeeping a more successful venture. Her research program focuses on honey bee health and practical beekeeping considerations. Specifically, she is studying the impacts of honey bee colony management and queen origin on colony health and productivity.
Tragic honey bee colony losses are in the media these days, with beekeepers reporting overwinter mortality of 1.6 million colonies this year. The current devastating losses mirror those seen in 2007. During this talk, Dr. Underwood will describe the response to both devastating losses and what we have learned about honey bee health and the causes of colony mortality. She will discuss the current situation, how we might recover, and why honey bees are so important to American agriculture despite being introduced species.