The honey bee samples we have
Our previous research has led to the collection of 132,000 bees and apiary data from more than 2,595 hive inspections. Some of these samples include bees from:
- Chatham Island (Rēkohu/Wharekauri)
- Great Barrier Island (Aotea)
- Stewart Island (Rakiura).
All samples are stored in an ultralow freezer, which runs at -80°C. This means that the bee samples can remain useful indefinitely. We recognise the importance of keeping this collection. It will have a wide variety of uses beyond biosecurity.
We hold stocks of snap-frozen whole adult bees (nurse bees). We also have lysates, DNA, and RNA. Some information associated with the samples is available.
How researchers can apply for access to the samples
We have consent from the beekeepers who participated to allow us to make these samples available to other researchers. But the research work must be for the betterment of apiculture in New Zealand.
We have set up an application process – interested researchers can apply for access to these samples.
Note that we will not be releasing any identifying information of participating beekeepers. This includes the location of the apiary. We will only be able to release the general region where the samples originated.
Applications must meet one or more of the founding principles of the collection
- Benefits the health of New Zealand honey bees.
- Enhances the sustainability of apiculture in New Zealand.
- Enhances the productivity of apiculture in New Zealand.
- Applies the principles of mātauranga Māori to the investigation of honey bees in New Zealand.
- Supports or enhances new or existing market access conditions in New Zealand.
- Benefits environmental or conservation outcomes for New Zealand.
- Benefits horticultural practices in New Zealand.
Email requests to bee.coordinator@mpi.govt.nz
The American foulbrood (AFB) culture collection
Between 2022 and 2023, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) carried out a project that collected AFB from around New Zealand. This was thanks to the in-kind support of the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Agency
MPI sequenced 164 Paenibacillus larvae genomes, and of these, 53 can be made available for research.
If you're interested in these cultures, email bee.coordinator@mpi.govt.nz
