Conduct monitoring and survey activities for early detection of certain exotic honeybee pests

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the New Jersey Department of Agriculture a $125,000 cooperative agreement on July 1, 2026, to conduct monitoring and survey activities for early detection of exotic honeybee pests, including the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps spp. and Asian honeybee (Apis cerana).

The recipient will conduct pest surveys throughout New Jersey, with samples analyzed by the Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Lab. Five apiaries will be sampled three times as part of a longitudinal survey; 14 apiaries will be sampled as part of a general survey. Brood comb wax samples will be collected from hives in the longitudinal survey. Early detection of these exotic pests supports safe trade in honeybees and can identify emerging health issues and risk factors to inform bee health mitigation programs. The survey benefits New Jersey's apiary industry, vegetable crop producers, and orchards by detecting threats to pollinator colonies used for blueberry and other specialty crop pollination; it also benefits other states such as California that receive New Jersey bee colonies for pollination services.

The award period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with performance occurring in New Jersey.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to conduct monitoring and survey activities for early detection of certain exotic honeybee pests. This includes the parasitic mite tropilaelaps SPP. And other exotic threats to honeybee populations (e.g., asian honeybee, apis cerana).

Activities

Pest surveys will be conducted throughout the state. Samples will be sent to and analyzed by the agricultural research service (ARS) BEE research lab. Five apiaries will be sampled three times as part of the longitudinal survey and 14 apiaries will be sampled as part of the general survey. Brood comb wax samples will be taken from hives used in the longitudinal survey. Deliverables and expected outcomes: this survey can help in early detection of pests of honeybees that can cause extensive and severe damage to new jersey BEE colonies if they become well established. Additionally, collecting presence / absence data for pests of honeybees facilitates safe trade. This survey has become the most comprehensive honeybee pest and health survey. This can also identify emerging issues, identify risk factors, and design BEE health mitigation programs which may help US understand the cause of honeybee colony losses. Intended beneficiary(IES): the apiary industry, vegetable crop producers, and orchards in new jersey will benefit because this survey could lead to early detection of exotic pests that may damage pollinator colonies in the state such as those used to pollinate blueberry and other main crops in new jersey. This would also benefit other states such as california that receive NJ BEE colonies to help pollinate some of their major crops. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a