Hilo Queen Bee Project

The Hilo (pronounced Hee – Low) Queen Project in Hilo, Hawaii was initiated to develop a productive honeybee line with resistance to Varroa Mites. The project aims to create a bee population that can thrive in the face of this common threat to honeybee health.

Through careful breeding and selection, the Hilo Queen Project is working towards developing a bee that can contribute to the health and sustainability of bee populations in Hawaii and beyond. In this article we will discuss the progress made by the Hilo Queen Breeding program and how it fits into our operation.

Introduction to the Hilo Queen Breeding Program

The Hilo Queen Breeding Program has made significant progress in developing a bee population that is resistant to Varroa Mites. The program has been successful in breeding queens with the desired traits of resistance and productivity.

As a result, beekeepers in Hawaii and beyond are able to access these queens to improve the health and sustainability of their bee populations. This program is an important step forward in addressing the challenges facing honeybee health and the sustainability of bee populations.

History and Background of the Program

Prior to 2008, Varroa Mites did not exist in Hawaii. This offered scientists a unique opportunity to study the impact of Varroa on honey bees. Commercial bees from the Big Island of Hawaii were tested and found to be susceptible to the mites. This finding prompted scientists to import VSH semen to Hawaii in an effort to increase resistance in existing stocks of honeybees.

In 2010, a breeding program was started near Hilo by the Hawaii Apiary Program. Danielle Downey led the program which expanded in 2012 when Hawaii Island Honey Company became involved.

In 2015, the Hilo Queen Breeding Program was formalized with the establishment of a Bee Laboratory in East Hawaii. In 2023 the program was relocated to West Hawaii where it is now housed at Olivarez Honey Bee Company.

Breeding and Selection Process

The selection process for the Hilo Queen involves carefully choosing the strongest and healthiest queens to breed from, ensuring that the desirable traits are passed on to future generations. By selecting for resistance and productivity, the program aims to create a bee population that is better equipped to thrive in the face of challenges such as Varroa Mites.

To develop the Hilo Queen Line two forms of Instrumental Insemination were used. First, small colonies were created with Single-Drone Inseminated Queens. Then Multi-Drone Inseminated Queens were created with the best genetics from the small colonies. The production colonies from the Multi-Drone Inseminated Queens were then evaluated for productivity and mite resistance. The best performing queens from these production colonies were then used as breeders for the next generation of the Hilo Bee population.

Benefits and Advantages of the Hilo Queen Bee

The Hilo Queen Bee has several benefits. It is known for its gentle temperament, making it easier for beekeepers to work with. The Hilo Queen Bee is also known for its resistance to diseases and pests, which can help reduce the need for chemical treatments. Finally, this breed is known for its strong work ethic and productivity, making it a valuable asset for honey production.

Impact on Our Operation

In July of 2024, we began to bring production queens from the Hilo Breeding Program into our apiary at World of Honey. Our goal is increase Varroa Resistance in our lines of bees by incorporating the Hilo Queen genetics into our existing stocks. We plan to do this through the use of instrumental insemination.

Future Plans and Goals for the Program

Moving forward the Hilo Queen Breeding Program is working to establish isolated mating yards to increase production of these queens. The goal is to produce high-quality, properly mated production queens at commercial quantities to supply US beekeepers. The aim is to improve the overall health and resilience of bee colonies in the US.

In conclusion, the Hilo Queen Bee offers numerous benefits and advantages, including improved genetics, disease resistance, and increased honey production. By including these high-quality queens in our breeding program, we can make a significant impact on the overall health of bee colonies in the country.

To learn more about Hilo Queens visit https://www.hilobees.com