Improving the future of honey bee breeding programs by employing recent scientific advances

•Several new QTLs are presented as potential biomarkers for breeding.•Advances in cryopreservation of semen are discussed.•Factors affecting honey bee queen and drone reproductive quality are reviewed.•Services available to breeders and beekeepers are highlighted. A recent abundance of studies inves...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in insect science 2015-08, Vol.10, p.163-169
Main Authors: Niño, Elina L, Cameron Jasper, W
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:•Several new QTLs are presented as potential biomarkers for breeding.•Advances in cryopreservation of semen are discussed.•Factors affecting honey bee queen and drone reproductive quality are reviewed.•Services available to breeders and beekeepers are highlighted. A recent abundance of studies investigating causes of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses has led to enhanced recommendations in management practices with particular emphasis on breeding for resistant bee stocks. Here we review the latest advances in research which could improve the future of breeding programs. We discuss diversity in colonies particularly in breeding programs, giving special emphasis to recent improvement in cryopreservation of honey bee germplasm. We also review factors that affect the health and reproductive quality of queens and drones. We briefly discuss how techniques developed by scientists are finding more regular usage with breeders in the assessment of reproductive caste health and quality and in determining best management practices for breeding programs.
ISSN:2214-5745
2214-5745
DOI:10.1016/j.cois.2015.05.005