Students at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have created a machine learning algorithm to automatically count Varroa mites in beehives. The algorithm could help beekeepers monitor bee health more quickly and accurately.

Image: Max Pixel, Bee bees honey, CC0 Public Domain

Currently, Varroa mite infestations are tracked by counting the number of mite bodies found on a board placed underneath the hive. However, this is time-consuming and often inaccurate, because the mites are tiny and other debris also lands on the boards.

View a video demonstrating the current process and the new algorithm here.

Read the full article here and read coverage in TechCrunch here. See also the video A Bee's Eye View of a Healthy Food System in the Foodsource video library.

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THEMES
Animal welfare Ecosystems and ecosystem services Farm management tools Insects
PUBLISHED
18 Feb 2019
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