A COMPANY set up by a Durham University graduate has developed a monitoring device that could halt the decline in bee population which threatens global food supplies.

Currently, beekeepers, farmers and food producers are dependent on someone donning protective clothing to check the health of bee colonies and judge whether swarming, which is a vital stage in the pollination process, is likely to occur. Not only is this time-consuming but it is also highly disruptive to the hive.

Dr Huw Evans and his wife Sandra, who graduated with a masters degree in biology from Durham University, established their Newcastle-based business Arnia, 18 months ago to develop new technology. They will use a £100,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Proof of Concept Fund, managed by Northstar Ventures, to fund further research and development into sophisticated bee monitoring devices.

Bees are responsible for pollinating one third of the food we eat and are worth about £200m a year to British agriculture. A dramatic drop in bee numbers, which have halved in the UK since 1985, led to the United Nations warning that unless something is done to halt the decline, there could be serious long-term consequences for food supplies.

Dr Evans said: "Crops such as almonds and apples are particularly dependent on bee pollination and a population collapse could threaten the production of some of our favourite tipples and delicacies.

"Arnias technology is essentially a small device which monitors audio frequency signals produced within the hive and sophisticated algorithms which identify patterns and changes in bee behaviour. From that, we can uniquely supply an accurate prediction of colony swarming several weeks in advance providing beekeepers with ample time to effectively manage the swarm."

Viruses, pesticides, the demise of wildflower habitats and even mobile phone signals have been blamed for killing bees. Dr Evans believes Arnias system are capable of identifying problems at an early stage.

"Preliminary results indicate that we have the ability to identify the presence of some of the most common factors that impact on the health of a colony, such as the Varroa destructor mite and the Nosema apis parasite. The technology will also help us to investigate the potential impact which mobile phone networks may or may not have on bees."

Arnia is also working closely with the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA). Dr David Aston, Chair of the BBKA Technical and Environmental Committee said: "We have followed Dr Evans’ work and are interested not only in the swarm management applications of the technology he is developing, but also its potential applications into many other areas of the biology and health status of the honey bee, as an aid to beekeepers and also as a research tool."

Dr Stephen Price, POC manager at Northstar, said: "Our investment will enable Arnia to continue the development of this technology and engage market research consultancy Think M to explore opportunities in the market to commercialise and expand its range of products.

"Arnia’s technology is backed by an experienced and enthusiastic team in Huw and his biologist wife Sandra. Together they have the ideal technical and scientific background to deliver this solution, and are passionate beekeepers themselves.

"With the company’s unique capability, it has already made significant strides and it has the potential to become a high-profile business with a really positive regional impact."