A second gene directs the bees to pull the sick or dead young out of the cell and push them from the nest. In earlier work, Gilliam and Taber developed a quick, reliable test for accurately detecting these inherited traits. The test also produced more evidence that bees can be selected and bred for this healthful behavior. For the test, researchers freeze a chunk of brood-containing comb, killing the immature bees, and they place it in the hive. Hygienic bees remove the dead within 48 hours.
Sloppy bees take a week or more.
Gilliam has used the test to identify dozens of chalkbrood-savvy queens from Arizona hives. However, Gilliam's research may pinpoint strains of beneficial microbes that can be commercially produced to augment natural populations. Click here to see this issue's table of contents.