Eye color genetic association in honey bees

For nearly a century, honey bee 'mutants' have been noted by beekeepers and researchers alike. Indeed, early genetic mapping in honey bees relied on phenotypic mutations. Unfortunately, we lack an understanding of the loci responsible for such mutations in the honey bee system. As honey bees are haplodiploid--males arise from unfertilized eggs and females from fertilized eggs, it can be possible to identify such mutations rapidly using haploid males. Here, we used a community science approach combined with in-field genetics and multiple sequencing technologies to identify mutations underlying eye color variations in honey bees. Our work provides new insights into the genetic origins of phenotypic variation in bees and highlights the importance of engaging with and including stakeholders in genetic research.