Professor Stephen Martin

Few names in the world of honey bee research are as respected as Professor Stephen Martin. For nearly four decades, his work has shaped how scientists and beekeepers understand one of the most serious threats to honey bees – the Varroa destructor mite – and its link to deadly bee viruses. From his early field studies to his most recent discoveries on natural Varroa resistance, Professor Martin’s career offers invaluable lessons for anyone passionate about bees.

A Lifelong Fascination with Social Insects

Professor Stephen Martin has dedicated his scientific life to studying social insects – honey bees, wasps, hornets, ants, and termites. His curiosity began early, leading him to study zoology at Bangor University, where he later completed both his PhD and DSc. Over the years, his work has spanned continents and species, always focusing on the intricate relationships within insect societies and the environmental pressures that shape them.

After several years conducting research in Japan on hornet ecology, Professor Martin joined the UK’s National Bee Unit and later worked at the University of Sheffield before becoming Chair in Social Entomology at the University of Salford. Now an Emeritus Professor, he continues to collaborate internationally and contribute to the global understanding of honey bee health.

The Varroa Mite: A Global Honey Bee Threat

If you are a beekeeper, you will already have heard of the Varroa destructor mite – a tiny parasite that has devastated honey bee colonies across the world. Professor Stephen Martin has been at the forefront of studying this mite for nearly 40 years. His research has revealed not just how Varroa harms bees directly, but also how it acts as a vector for viral diseases, particularly the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).

In one of his most influential studies, published in Science (2012), Professor Martin demonstrated how the arrival of Varroa mites in Hawaii dramatically reshaped the island’s viral landscape. Once harmless viruses became deadly within a short period, leading to widespread colony losses. This discovery helped confirm that Varroa’s real danger lies not just in its feeding habits, but in the viral epidemics it triggers.

For new beekeepers, this understanding is vital. Managing Varroa is not just about keeping mite numbers low – it’s about protecting bees from the viral infections that follow.

Discovering Natural Varroa Resistance

While Varroa mites continue to pose a major challenge, Professor Martin’s work also brings hope. Through collaborations with researchers in South Africa, Brazil, Cuba, and the UK, he has identified honey bee populations that have developed natural resistance to Varroa without chemical treatments.

These bees exhibit key behaviours – such as recapping (removing and resealing brood cells infested with mites) and mite removal – that interrupt the parasite’s reproductive cycle. His studies show that resistance can evolve relatively quickly when colonies are left to adapt naturally, offering a possible long-term solution to the Varroa problem.

Recent work by Professor Martin and colleagues has also revealed that Varroa resistance is mainly transmitted through the queen, rather than through learned behaviour in worker bees. This finding is particularly significant for breeding programmes aiming to propagate resistant lines.

From Field Research to Practical Tools

Beyond academic research, Professor Stephen Martin has a long history of making science practical for beekeepers and students alike. He developed the widely used Varroa Calculator, a simple digital tool that helps beekeepers determine the optimal time to apply control measures. This tool embodies his approach: combining rigorous science with hands-on practicality.

He also created a graphic computer model of hornet colony growth, used as a teaching aid at the University of Exeter, and helped develop field courses for undergraduate students in locations as diverse as the Amazon rainforest and the UK’s national parks. His dedication to teaching and outreach reflects his belief that understanding insects is not just for scientists – it’s for everyone who depends on them.

International Recognition and Influence

Professor Stephen Martin’s contributions have earned him recognition from both academic and beekeeping communities. He was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award at Salford University in 2019, became an Honorary Fellow of the British Beekeepers Association in 2024, and received Japan’s Furosato Award from the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.

His expertise in hornet and Varroa ecology is now sought worldwide, and he continues to advise governments, researchers, and beekeeper organisations on managing emerging bee health challenges.

A Legacy of Research and Hope for Beekeepers

For beginner beekeepers, the name Professor Stephen Martin represents more than just research papers and university lectures – it stands for a bridge between science and practical beekeeping. His work helps explain why some colonies collapse under Varroa pressure while others survive, and it offers insight into how natural selection might help restore balance in our bee populations.

Understanding his findings allows beekeepers to take a more informed approach – one that balances intervention with observation, and respects the honey bee’s own capacity to adapt and resist.

As the global beekeeping community continues to confront challenges from pests, pathogens, and environmental change, Professor Stephen Martin’s decades of research provide a foundation of knowledge – and hope – for the next generation of beekeepers.