About the Project
Bumblebees are amongst the most ecologically and economically important groups of pollinators, but many species are suffering serious declines. The importance of bumblebees for the pollination of many high-value crops has led to the commercial production and importation of over a million bumblebee colonies pa globally, with ca. 40,000 colonies being imported into the UK each year. These commercially produced bumblebees can carry with them a diversity of infectious and virulent parasites which reduce the crop pollination services provided by the bumblebees and can also pose a significant spillover risk to wild pollinators. Addressing this problem is difficult because there are currently no methods of controlling bumblebee diseases, and the roles that nutritional and other stresses may play in regulating disease in bumblebees are poorly understood. This project will work with Biobest NV, one of the major producers of bumblebee colonies, to investigate the effects of diet and stress on the resistance to disease of commercially produced bumblebees, and develop methods to control their diseases. The project will make a significant contribution to improving the commercial production of bumblebees such as to both maximise the crop pollination services they can provide and reduce the pathogen spillover risk they pose to wild pollinators, and will provide a first-class training experience to the student including the development of unique skills not otherwise available in the UK.
Funding Notes
This is a BBSRC-funded iCASE studentship for 4 years in collaboration with Biobest NV. Only full time UK students will be accepted. Applicants must have a 1st or 2:1 class BSc (Hons) or equivalent in ecology, zoology or related discipline, and genuine interest in pollinator conservation, agroecology and parasitology. For further queries, contact Professor William Hughes ([Email Address Removed]), including a copy of your CV. To apply complete the form at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/. Apply for September 2015 entry. Mention William Hughes in “suggested supervisor” section. Include brief statement of interest (up to 2 pages), CV, two academic references, UG/PG transcripts.
References
Graystock, P., Yates, K., Evison, S.E.F., Darvill, B., Goulson, D. & Hughes, W.O.H. 2013. The Trojan hives: harmful pollinator pathogens imported and distributed in bumblebee hives. J Appl Ecol 50:1207-1215.
Graystock, P., Yates, K., Darvill, B., Goulson, D. & Hughes, W.O.H. 2013. Emerging dangers: deadly effects of an emergent parasite in a new pollinator host. J Invert Pathol 114:114-119
Foley, K., Fazio, G., Jensen, A. B. & Hughes, W.O.H. 2012. Nutritional limitation and resistance to opportunistic Aspergillus parasites in honey bee larvae. J Invert Pathol 111:68-73.
Whitehorn PR, O’Connor S, Wackers FL & Goulson D. 2012. Neonicotinoid pesticide reduces bumblebee colony growth and queen production. Science 336: 351-352.
Whitehorn, P.R., Tinsley, M.C., Brown, M.J.F., Darvill, B. & Goulson, D. 2011. Genetic diversity, parasite prevalence and immunity in wild bumblebees. Proc R Soc Lond B 278: 1195-1202.