The PAm-supported research that Dr. Kaira Wagoner started nearly a decade ago is now available as a two-hour pheromone-based test called the Unhealthy Brood Odor (UBO) assay, which is to mimic colony odors with Varroa and disease.
Her and her colleague launched a start-up and received National Science Foundation funding to support commercialization of the technology. Field trials have been completed or are underway in over a dozen apiaries across North America and Europe. We have tested UBO in the Northern Sacramento Valley and hope to have this testing in the hands of beekeepers by the end of 2023. This is another tool that beekeepers can utilize to help in the selection process of breeder colonies that they will graft from for queen production.
- Deliverables
- Report with the following:
- Unhealthy Brood Odor (TRUE/FALSE): Zero hours, two hours
- Management Advice: - Methodology
- UBO visits take around X hours per yard. We test between X-X colonies to get a representative sample. Each box in the colonies tested will be opened. BHH staff will use a combination of field and lab tests to provide deliverables. Customer is to provide UBO chemicals.
- How to Prepare
- Before Submitting Service Request
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After Signing Service Agreement
- - Pricing
- Visit the services page for the current pricing range. The cost for UBO testing is per colony and agreed upon beforehand. Factors that affect price per colony include:
- Date(s) of Visit(s)
- Yard Locations: Proximity of yards from the city of Davis and from each other.
- Crew support: Customer may optionally offer labor support.
- Lodging: Customer may optionally offer lodging to BHH staff for multi-day field services.