USDA Bee Laboratory-Beltsville, MD
The "Beltsville Bee Lab" is recognized for its research on bee diseases and pests and for providing a bee disease diagnostic service for 100+ years.
The USDA Bee Laboratory at Beltsville, MD offers free diagnostic services for US beekeepers and conducts research to improve honey bee health.
The diagnosis of bee diseases has been a focus of this laboratory since its inception in 1891 and we operate a "Bee Disease Diagnosis Service" for beekeepers across the U.S.
There is no charge for this service.
Samples received of adult bees and beeswax comb (with and without bee brood) are examined for bacterial, fungal and microsporidian diseases as well as for two species of parasitic mites and other pests associated with honey bees (i.e., small hive beetle, Aethina tumida).
When requested, American foulbrood samples are cultured and isolates are screened for their sensitivity to Terramycin (oxytetracycline) and Tylan (tylosin).
The Bee Research Lab conducts research to improve the health of honey bee colonies and help the beekeeping industry maintain an adequate healthy supply of bees for the pollination of crops.
Related resources
Diagnostic tools for honey bee diseases
Nosema Testing
