Minnesota Hygienic Italians were developed by Dr. Marla Spivak at the University of Minnesota Bee Lab. These bees are bred to have a high degree of hygienic behavior known to be effective against diseases of the brood such as American Foulbrood and Chalkbrood. This trait is thought to be two behaviors acting in synergy, the uncapping of diseased cells, then the removal of the pathogen along with the pupae, effectively disrupting the disease lifecycle. Another trait, Varroa Specific Hygiene (VSH) is especially effective at targeting Varroa mites.