Data from: Reduced density and visually complex apiaries reduce parasite load and promote honey production and overwintering survival in honey bees

UGA-Emory honey bee studiesThe Pilot study started in 2014 using 6 apiaries each consisting of 7 colonies - In 3 apiaries the colonies were placed in a circle with entrances facing out and 2 meters separating colonies - In 3 apiaries the colonies were placed in a circle with entrances facing out and 10 meters separating colonies The ED study started in 2015 using 6 apiaries each consisting of 8 colonies - In 3 apiaries the colonies were placed in a line with all entrances facing the same direction and 2 meters separating colonies - In 3 apiaries the colonies were placed in a circle with entrances facing out and 10 meters separating colonies The TO study started in 2016 using 10 apiaries consisting of 14 colonies - In 5 apiaries 2 colonies were inoculated with mites expected to be of high virulence - In 5 apiaries 2 colonies were inoculated with mites expected to be of low virulence The VA study started in 2015 - 8 apiaries each with 10 colonies The CI study started in 2014 - HM, LM, and F bees inoculated with HM, LM, or F mites In each study colonies were initially cleared of mites and then 2 colonies in each apiary were randomly chosen to inoculate with mites - In the pilot study colonies were inoculated once - In the ED study colonies were inoculated twice Variables - wave = sequential month since start of experiment - sticky.screen.72hrs = standard Varroa measurement tool - sticky screen left under colony for 72 hours and mites that are trapped are counted - date indicates when screen first placed - note: sometimes sticky screens could not be left for exactly 72 hours; in these cases the mite count is prorated to 72hours - queen.status = whether the colony is queen right or not or whether there is a virgin queen - mite inoculation = record of date of inoculation and how many mites were added to the colony - colony.weight.kg = the colony weight is measured in kilograms - alcohol.mite.count.300bees = appoximately 300 bees are rinsed in alcohol to remove mites - note: measurement values are prorated to 300 bees - adult.bees.A & B = each side of each frame is examined in a colony. A percentage score for these frames are recorded (ex. adult bees make up 50% of a frame) the percentages for the colony are added together to get the final measurement. In order to reduce error associated with different workers measurements two people measure each colony and the final measurements are averaged (*note: in the CI study only one measurement was taken but this was recorded twice to make it consistent with the existing R code) - brood.coverage.A & B = same measurement procedure as above but for brood instead of adult beesUGA_Emory_Master_Spreadsheet.xlsx