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United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine 4700 River Road Riverdale, MD 20737 August 11, 2017 Dear Beekeeper, Thank you for participating in this National Honey Bee Survey sponsored by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in collaboration with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Maryland (UMD). This survey, now in it’s 8th years, is being conducted in an attempt to document which bee diseases, parasites, or pests of honey bees are present and/or likely absent in the U.S. Specifically, this survey has verified the absence of the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps and other exotic threats to honey bee populations (e.g., Apis cerana and Slow Bee Paralysis Virus (SBPV)). Verifying the lack of these exotic pests in the U.S. allows APHIS to close borders to countries where these pests occur. To maximize the information gained from this survey effort, collected samples are analyzed for other honey bee diseases and parasites known to be present in the U.S. Known honeybee diseases and parasites to be analyzed will include varroa, nosema, and seven viral pathogens. The survey samples are analyzed for 11 known honey bee viruses, pests and pathogens. In select locations pollen will be collected from brood frames and tested for 170+ pesticides. This nationwide survey is the most comprehensive honey bee pest and health survey to date, and provides essential disease and pest load baseline information. Information about the survey and annual reports can be found online at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-diseaseprograms/pests-and-diseases/non-regulated/honey-bees Please contact [email protected] with any questions or comments. Once again thank you for your participation. Robyn Rose, National Program Manager USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Dr. Dennis vanEngelsdorp Assistant Professor, Entomology Bee Research Laboratory Building 476, Beltsville, MD 20705