University of MN Bee Lab

Bees play a keystone role in the agricultural production and the beauty of our world through the pollination of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers. The disruption of natural habitats leading to lack of “bee flowers,” the widespread overuse of pesticides, and numerous bee diseases and parasites have pushed honey bees to the tipping point. This honey bee crisis is broadly termed Colony Collapse Disorder. Our native bees are also in decline due to unprecedented habitat loss, pesticide contamination, and their own diseases.

Dr. Marla Spivak, MacArthur Fellow and Distinguished McKnight Professor in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, currently runs the Bee Lab (http://beelab.umn.edu/), with excellent technical support from Gary Reuter, the Bee Squad (http://beelab.umn.edu/BeeSquad/) and graduate students.

The goal of our bee research and extension program at the University of Minnesota is to promote the health of bee pollinators. We work as a team to provide the richest learning environment for students and beekeepers at all levels and from all backgrounds.

You can help bees in four ways:
1. Plant bee flowers everywhere.
2. Provide nesting habitat.
3. Reduce or eliminate pesticide use, especially on bee flowers.
4. Support our efforts to keep bees healthy and on their own six feet (https://makingagift.umn.edu/onlinegiving/enterOnlineGiving.do?owner=O_BEE&desc_source=UWXX_CFAN_SITE).