Investigating pathogen prevalence in a geographically isolated community of bumble bees

Bumble bees are threatened worldwide, and among several impacts to their populations are pathogens which impact colony health and success. This is a concern for captive breeding programs aimed at enhancing populations with pathogen-free colonies. In this research we partner with Wildlife Preservation Canada who maintain breeding programs and use a novel method for detecting pathogen prevalence in wild and captive bumble bees. The intern will be trained on quantifying pathogen loads non-destructively in bumble bees and work with an established team on Pelee Island, the southernmost point in Canada. Here we suspect pathogen prevalence to be low or non-existent because of disconnection from the mainland. There are also many imperiled bumble bee species present on the island including those targeted by WPC. The intern will interact with WPC who will additionally conduct a comparable study on the mainland. Both teams will share their findings with partners in Quebec.

Faculty Supervisor:

Scott MacIvor

Student:

Partner:

Wildlife Preservation Canada

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: