Latin American Society for Bee Research
(SOLATINA)

Report on 2nd Workshop 
at 
Instituto de Investigaciones Biologicas,
Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruaguay

On July 31 and August 1, 2018, the II Workshop of the Latin American Society for Bee Research (SOLATINA) took place at the Institute for Biological Research Clemente Estable (IIBCE), in Montevideo, Uruguay. The workshop gathered around 80 Latin-American researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Cuba, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay; as well as invited researchers from Canada, France and Italy; to participate in different conferences and discussion forums.

This meeting was organized by SOLATINA’s Steering Committee in coordination with a Local Organizing Committee (B. Branchiccela, L. Castelli, D. Arredondo, C. Invernizzi, C. Rossini and K. Antunez). The event was generously supported by a number of organizations, including the Eva Crane Trust.

As part of this workshop two prominent bee researchers were invited to give plenary lectures. Dr. Ernesto Guzman Novoa, from the University of Guelph, Canada, gave the lecture entitled: "Effects of exposure to sub-lethal doses of neonicotinoids and Varroa destructor on honey bee health and behaviour". Dr. Marcelo Aizen, CONICET researcher from the University of Comahue, Argentina, gave a lecture on "The Impact of Introduced Bees in Latin America". Five round-table discussions were also held each one following the priority research areas covered by SOLATINA's working groups.

The following topics were discussed.

Diversity and Biology
Chairs: Dr. Carolina Morales and M.Sc. Estela Santos

Monitoring of colony losses
Chairs: Dr. Fabrice Requier and Dr. Karina Antúnez

Pests and pathogens
Chairs: Mag. Belén Branchiccela and Dr. Natalia Bulacio

Products, services and added value
Chairs: Dr. Andrés Delgado Cañedo, Dr. Marina Basualdo and Dr. Patricia Aldea.

Impact of agrochemicals and other agricultural practices
Chair: Dr. Horacio Heinzen

For a brief summary about the discussion of these topics in each round-table, their conclusions, and planned activities please see full report: SOLATINA II Workshop 
For more information about SOLATINA please visit their website: http://solatina.org/

Report by 
Dra. Karina Antúnez
Prof. Adjunta de Investigación
Departamento de Microbiología
Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable
Montevideo, Uruguay