Genesis Chong-Echavez is a graduate researcher at UC Riverside who led a study investigating why certain hybrid honeybees in Southern California are better at surviving deadly parasites known as Varroa mites. By tracking 236 bee colonies over several years, she found that these locally adapted bees carried significantly fewer mites and were far less likely to need chemical treatments compared to typical commercial colonies. Her research suggests that the bees’ resistance may begin early in life, as their larvae are less attractive to the parasites, possibly due to genetic traits. Chong-Echavez’s work highlights a promising, natural approach to improving honeybee survival and reducing reliance on chemical interventions, offering potential solutions to the widespread decline of pollinators.