SLU Honey Bee Research Centre

Our mission is to support and strengthen research activities on honey bees in Sweden. We maintain beekeeping infrastructure at SLU’s Uppsala campus with honey bee colonies used to facilitate research, but also education, collaborations, and open house activities

  • Important pollinators
  • Produces honey that humans have eaten for thousands of years
  • Research into bee health provides knowledge for a sustainable future

About us

The Honey Bee Research Centre was established in 2023-2024 to build and support a strong research environment for honeybee health in Sweden.

Research group

The Honey Bee Research Centre focuses on honey bee health, honey bee disease ecology and pathology.

Infrastructure

We keep approximately 40 honeybee colonies in order to facilitate various activities carried out at the centre.

Our popular bee course

From their unique biology, ecology, and behaviors to pollination ecology, to management of honey bees for honey production, and the challenges they face with pests and diseases.

Collaboration

We facilitate scientific collaborations and serve as a bridge between science and practice, as well as between research and beekeeping.

Research

  • 2025-06-07

    Varroa mite research

    The research on varroa mites in our group focuses on understanding the ecology, evolution and adaptations between the honeybees, the varroa mites and the viruses vectored by the mite.
  • 2025-06-07

    Virus Research

    We study the evolution, adaptation and ecology of bee viruses, as well as their effects on their hosts.