Dr Maeva Techer is a biologist looking at Varroa mites, a global parasite of honeybees with an important role in colony collapse disorder. Dr Techer uses genome sequencing to understand how the parasite has been able to jump between hosts so successfully.

In this episode we talk about the Varroa mite, the deadly viruses it carries, its impact on beekeeping - and what honeybees might do to defend themselves. We talk about life in the field (getting Italian bees drunk and high on sugar), some unexpected pollinator friends, and an exciting new project cleverly using honeybees to save coral reefs…

To see more from Dr Techer and the rest of her team, including research papers and laboratory protocols, head to homologo.us.

Enjoy!

Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör Chris Richardson. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Chris Richardson och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.