Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI)
Welcome to the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects
The Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI) at the University of Sussex is the largest research group in the UK studying honey bees and other social insects the bees, wasps and ants that live in a colony with a queen and workers. LASI research studies the honey bee and other social insects "in the round" addressing both applied and basic questions.
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Applied research is focused on the Sussex Plan for Honey Bee Health and Well-Being, which started in October 2008. The Sussex Plan comprises four projects aimed at helping honey bees and beekeepers by breeding disease-resistant 'hygienic' honey bees, developing ways of controlling Varroa mites, determining which diseases are killing British bee hives, and learning where honey bees gather pollen and nectar by decoding their communication dances.
There is currently a great deal of concern about honey bee health, with colony collapse disorder (CCD) affecting many hives in North America, Japan, and Europe. LASI basic research investigates how societies of bees, wasps and ants are organised and coordinated, how they resolve their internal conflicts over who works and who lays eggs, and how the workers that guard the nest entrance recognise nestmates from non-nestmates. Research is carried out by undergraduate project students, DPhil students, postdoctoral researchers, and research technicians under the supervision of Professor Francis Ratnieks, the UK's only Professor of Apiculture.
Research uses a wide range of techniques ranging from studying behaviour to mathematical modelling. Most research is carried out at the main LASI facility on the University of Sussex campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park. LASI field work is also carried out in Brazil and other locations, and involves collaboration with researchers worldwide.
Latest news
3 February 2010
LASI publishes their year end activity report
3 February 2010
Colonies are caged for own protection
28 January 2010
Research team from LASI visit the South American rain forest