UBeeO™ is a groundbreaking new tool designed to accurately predict a colony’s ability to self-manage mites and disease through hygienic behavior – a vital aspect of colony health.
Brood stressed by mites, viruses, or other diseases emit special pheromones through the wax cap
Patrolling nurses detect the pheromones and locate the unhealthy brood for further inspection
The nurses uncap and remove the unhealthy brood to prevent the spread of mites and disease, protecting the colony
Hygienic behavior is a heritable trait that beekeepers can selectively breed for. Colonies that are more hygienic are more sensitive to unhealthy brood pheromones, and thus more resistant to mites and disease.
Stronger bees with
Optera’s UBeeO™ mix contains naturally occurring brood pheromones. To test a colony’s sensitivity, the UBeeO™ mix is applied to a small area of capped brood. The colony’s hygienic response to the treated brood cells after two hours indicates its ability to resist mites and disease throughout the season.
Spray the UBeeO™ mix onto a small test area of capped brood and return the frame to the colony
Hygienic worker bees will respond to UBeeO™ by uncapping brood cells in the test area
After just two hours, the colony’s UBeeO™ response is ready to be graded
The UBeeO™ Score is the percentage of cells uncapped by the end of the testing period – the more cells uncapped, the higher the score
Peer-reviewed data show that untreated High UBeeO™ colonies are able to maintain mite loads below treatment thresholds and are more likely to overwinter.
Low UBeeO™ colonies may require additional mite monitoring and treatment to improve survival chances.
Combined with skilled management and beekeeper intuition, UBeeO™ can guide you in improving apiary management through achieving and maintaining mite and disease resistance.
Increase overwintering success with colonies that are better equipped to self-manage mites and disease
Produce breeder queens, drone stock, and splits from top performing, mite and disease resistant colonies
Maximize cost-saving potential by reducing the need for mite treatments and preventing overwintering losses
Streamline your selective breeding process with simple UBeeO™ application and rapid same-day results
Improve customer success and ensure queen quality by verifying mite and disease resistance of daughter queens
Plan out mite management, migratory pollination, mating yard layout, and winter preparation earlier in the season
