R.w. (rob) Currie
Professor
Entomology
Canada
Biography
Rob's research group studies the biology, physiology and behaviour of native and managed pollinators. A major focus is on the study of how various stressors interact to affect the impact of diseases and parasites on honey bee colony survival and how pathogen spillover affects the survival of native bees. He uses integrated pest management principles to develop innovative approaches to control parasitic mites, fungal diseases, bacterial diseases and viruses (eg. gene silencing, proteomic markers for breeding resistant bees, manipulation of wintering environments).
Research Interest
Regulation of reproduction in bees, Importance of floral odours as an attractant to honey bees, Control measures for the varroa mite, a parasite of honey bees, Fumigation treatments for the varroa mite in winter, Regulation of queen replacement in honey bee colonies, Improving feed quality in honey bees, Regulation of oviposition in the varroa mite, Sound detection by varroa mites, Modelling honey bee population growth and honey production, Selection for varroa resistance in honey bee stock
Publications
-
Underwood, R. M. and Currie, R. W. 2005. Effect of concentration and exposure time on treatment efficacy against varroa mites (Acari: Varroidae) during indoor winter fumigation of honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with formic acid. Journal of Economic Entomology 98(6):1802-1809.
-
Currie, R.W. and Gatien, P. 2006. Timing acaricide treatments to prevent Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) from causing economic damage to honey bee colonies. Canadian Entomologist. 138:238-252.
-
Underwood, Robyn M., and R. W. Currie. 2007. Effects of release pattern and room ventilation on survival of varroa mites and queens during indoor winter fumigation of honey bee colonies with formic acid. /Canadian Entomologist/ 139:1-13. in press.
