Our speaker will be Dr. Genesis Chong on the topic of varroa-resistant local bee populations.

Honey bee colonies in the United States continue to experience high losses, largely driven by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. However, not all bees respond the same way—some populations appear to persist with lower mite levels and reduced treatment needs. In this talk, Dr. Chong will share findings from a long-term study of honey bee colonies in Southern California, comparing commercially managed bees with a locally adapted hybrid population. The hybrid colonies consistently maintained lower mite infestation levels and required fewer treatments. In laboratory experiments, mites were less attracted to larvae from this population, suggesting that differences at the brood level may contribute to reduced infestation. Together, these results highlight the potential for naturally occurring resistance traits and what they may mean for beekeeping practices.

Genesis Chong is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Riverside, where she studies how honey bees respond to various forms of stress, including parasites such as Varroa destructor and environmental challenges like heat stress. Her work combines field and laboratory approaches to understand the mechanisms that allow some bees to survive under pressure. She is particularly interested in how immune responses and host–parasite interactions contribute to resilience, with the goal of supporting more sustainable beekeeping practices.