Marla Spivak

Dr. Marla Spivak is an American entomologist and Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota, specializing in apiculture and social insects. Spivak is recognized for her research into the biology, behavior, and survival of honey bees, which are essential pollinators for healthy ecosystems and the agricultural industry, supporting a significant portion of the United States' food supply. Her work addresses the decline of honey bee populations, which has been linked to parasitic mites, diseases, pesticide exposure, and habitat loss.

Spivak's scientific contributions include the development of the "Minnesota Hygienic" line of bees. Her studies of hygienic behavior—the ability of certain bee strains to detect and remove infected pupae—enabled the breeding of more disease-resistant bees for the beekeeping industry. This line provides a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for managing pests and pathogens such as the Varroa mite. Spivak has also promoted local breeding programs to increase the prevalence of hygienic traits in bee populations. Her laboratory has conducted research into the antimicrobial properties of propolis, the plant resin bees use to protect their hives, with findings that propolis influences bee immunity and may have implications for human medicine.

Spivak has extensively studied Colony Collapse Disorder, attributing it to factors including parasites, diseases, poor nutrition, pesticide poisoning, and habitat loss. Her research focuses on identifying stressors that compromise bee immune systems and developing mitigation strategies. She has communicated these issues to broad audiences, including a TEDGlobal talk that examined the causes of bee population declines. Spivak is the co-editor of "The African Honey Bee" and the author of beekeeping manuals and videos, with scientific articles published in journals such as Evolution, Apidologie, and Animal Behavior.

Spivak's work has been recognized with honors including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture, a Women of Discovery Award from Wings WorldQuest, and election as a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America. She has served as past-president of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects' North American Section, a trustee of the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, and a board member of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

After more than three decades at the University of Minnesota, Spivak retired, leaving a legacy in honey bee research and pollinator health. Following her MacArthur grant, she founded the Bee Squad, an organization supporting beekeepers and pollinator health in the Twin Cities community. The University of Minnesota's Department of Entomology established a Honey Bee Faculty Chair in her honor, ensuring the continuation of honey bee research. A species of sweat bee, Lasioglossum spivakae, was named in recognition of her contributions. Spivak's career demonstrates the impact of scientific research and public advocacy in the field of entomology and pollinator conservation.