Zac's Bio

Zac Lamas has recently launched the Lamas Lab at UMBC. The lab studies hazards which impact honey bee health and cause colony loss. As a result Zac's main focus is on Varroa, viruses and pesticides. The lab also provides diagnostic services for regional beekeepers, ensuring stakeholders know in real time which pathogens are affecting their colonies.

VARROA: Varroa has complex biology. Previous research has shown Varroa parasitism is seasonal within a colony. They predominantly feed on drones early in the season. This results in low impact on colony health early in the season, and mites evading detection by the alcohol wash. However, later in the season they shift quickly to worker bees where they are highly mobile. This results in colonies being rapidly parasitized in a handful of days.

We are how weaponizing this information against Varroa, by designing new treatments and management practices. The goal is to lower Varroa’s impact on colony health. We believe that this assistance will help breeding programs develop an adaptive bee.