East Lansing, Michigan, August 18, 2025
News Summary
Researchers at Michigan State University are pioneering a training program using dogs, specifically an English springer spaniel named Maple, to detect the American foulbrood disease threatening honey bee larvae. This innovative approach aims to enhance pollinator health amid declining bee populations due to various environmental pressures. Maple’s specialized training could pave the way for additional detection dogs, contributing significantly to beekeeping and agricultural practices in Michigan.
East Lansing, Michigan – Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are developing a groundbreaking method to protect honey bees by training dogs to detect a dangerous bacterial disease called American foulbrood, which threatens honey bee larvae. This initiative comes as pollinator populations are declining due to various pressures, including disease, the use of pesticides, climate change, and a lack of diverse food sources. The health of honey bee colonies is critical, as they play a vital role in pollinating many plants essential for human consumption.
The heart of this innovative program is a 9-year-old English springer spaniel named Maple. Maple, who has a background as a detection dog for human remains with the St. Joseph County sheriff’s office, was retired due to an injury in 2024. Her handler, Sue Stejskal, sought a new mission for Maple, leading her to collaborate with MSU professor Meghan Milbrath, who specializes in honey bee health.
Maple is currently undergoing training to learn how to identify the scent of American foulbrood within beehives. This disease is particularly harmful to young, developing bees, causing high mortality rates that can have devastating consequences for beekeepers. Financial losses incurred from American foulbrood can be significant, including the destruction of infected bee colonies and equipment, as well as reduced honey production.
Training and Methodology
Maple’s training process has included an adaptation of her protective gear, tailored to meet the unique needs of the canine while working safely around bees. She wears a custom yellow protective suit, complete with a head veil and paw booties, designed to shield her from bee stings during training exercises. As her training progresses, Maple has successfully demonstrated her ability to locate scent clues indicative of American foulbrood, an outcome that researchers hope will set a precedent for training additional dogs in the future.
Milbrath’s long-term vision for the program involves documenting Maple’s progress and creating a comprehensive guidebook to assist others interested in training dogs for the same purpose. With a growing concern over bee health and the ongoing decline in bee populations, which includes approximately 465 native bee species in Michigan alone, this research seeks to address significant challenges in agriculture and biodiversity.
Importance of Pollinator Health
Pollinators, particularly bees, are under immense threat globally. The decline in their populations can pose a serious risk to food security as a substantial portion of the human diet consists of crops that rely on pollinators for fertilization. Efforts to combat these threats can include practical solutions such as encouraging the establishment of pollinator gardens and reducing pesticide application in agricultural practices.
The ongoing research at MSU not only seeks to improve the health of honey bee populations but also to contribute to broader strategies aimed at conserving biodiversity and sustaining agriculture in Michigan and beyond. The successful training of dogs like Maple could lead to more effective disease detection in honey bee colonies, ultimately protecting the crucial role that bees play in our ecosystems.
Conclusion
The training program led by MSU researchers embodies an innovative approach to a significant agricultural issue. As they work to harness the keen sense of smell of dogs like Maple, the hope is to foster a new generation of detection dogs that could help monitor and manage honey bee health, thereby safeguarding both their populations and the vital services they provide.
FAQs
What is American foulbrood?
American foulbrood is a bacterial disease that affects honey bee larvae, leading to high mortality rates and significant losses for beekeepers.
Why are pollinators important?
Pollinators, such as bees, are essential for the fertilization of many crops, which constitute a significant portion of the human diet.
How is Maple being trained?
Maple is being trained to detect the scent of American foulbrood in beehives through a specialized program at MSU, adapted for her protective needs while working with bees.
What are some solutions to support bee health?
Promoting pollinator gardens and reducing pesticide use are two practical steps that can be taken to support bee health and populations.
Key Features of the Training Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dog Training | Training dogs to detect American foulbrood scent in beehives. |
| Maple’s Background | A retired detection dog with previous experience in human remains detection. |
| Protective Gear | Custom protective suit for Maple to ensure her safety around bees during training. |
| Financial Impact | American foulbrood can lead to substantial financial losses for beekeepers. |
| Future Plans | Documenting training progress and creating a guidebook for training additional dogs. |
| Importance of Bees | Bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops important for human consumption. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Training Dogs to Detect Honey Bee Diseases
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Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: Honey Bee
- The Guardian
- Google Search: Honey Bee Health
- US News
- Google Scholar: Honey Bee Pollination
- MLive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bee
- WLIX
- Google News: Pollinator Health
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