Ascosphaera apis. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. K. Brady
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Adverse Conditions ◽  
Leaf Cutting

Abstract A description is provided for Ascosphaera apis. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Apis mellifera and Megachile spp. DISEASE: Chalkbrood of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) with a few poorly documented records on leaf cutting bees Megachile spp. (Melville & Dade, 1944) and M. internis (Baker & Torchio, 1968). The spores are ingested by young larvae and germinate in the gut, breaking out of the hind end when larvae are sealed in their cells prior to pupation. If one strain only is present this forms the typical chalkbrood. If both strains are present a layer of grey cysts forms on the surface of the larva. Larvae are most susceptible at 3-4 days old and are then chilled briefly immediately after sealing. Although fatal to the larvae, this rarely destroys a whole colony and individual dead larvae are ejected by the bees. Ascospores persist many years providing periodic trouble in adverse conditions. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Europe; USA. Until 1968 chalkbrood was considered to be a European disease and it was only in 1971 that it became recognised as of economic importance in USA (Hitchcock & Christensen, 1972). TRANSMISSION: By ascospores within the cells of the comb to young larvae. From hive to hive probably by robber bees. More prevalent in cold, wet summers.

scholarly journals Antagonistic Effect of Gut Bacteria in the Hybrid Carniolan Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera Carnica, Against Ascosphaera Apis, the Causal Organism of Chalkbrood Disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed O. M. Omar ◽  
Adhm M. Moustafa ◽  
Mohammad J. Ansari ◽  
Abdelsalam M. Anwar ◽  
Bassam F. Fahmy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Causal Organism ◽  
Apis Mellifera Carnica

Abstract The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize bacterial strains associated with the gut of the hybrid Carniolan honey bee, Apis mellifera carnica, and to determine their in vitro and in vivo potential against Ascosphaera apis, the causal organism of chalkbrood disease, with the purpose of exploring feasible biological control. Six bacterial strains were isolated from healthy worker honey bees by culture-dependent methods. Six fungal strains (A3, A4, A7, A8, A9, and A15) of A. apis were isolated from larvae suffering from chalkbrood disease on Yeast-Glucose-Starch agar (YGPSA) medium. All bacteria were identified by a combination of morphology, Gram stain, and 16S rRNA sequence analysis, and fungal strains were identified by morphology and 5.8S rRNA. In vitro and in vivo inhibition assays were carried out to determine the ability of bacterial isolates to inhibit A. apis, the causal agent of chalkbrood disease. The analysis of 16S rRNA sequences revealed that four bacterial strains (B2, B4, B10, and B100) belong to Bacillus subtilis species, and two strains (P1 and P5) belong to Pseudomonas fluorescence. Significant differences in antagonistic activity of all bacterial strains were observed. B. subtilis isolate B2 showed the highest antagonistic activity, as measured by the inhibition zone against A. apis, followed by the P1 strain of P. fluorescence. SEM analysis also supports the antagonistic activity of these bacteria against A. apis. This study provides a theoretical basis for biological control of honey bee chalkbrood disease.

Evaluation of Australian commercial honey bees for hygienic behaviour, a critical character for tolerance to chalkbrood

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
BP Oldroyd
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Selective Breeding ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Hygienic Behaviour ◽  
Breeding Stock ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
To Come

Chalkbrood of honey bees (Apis mellifera) is caused by Ascosphaera apis, and is new to Australia. As yet, no treatment or prophylaxis is available for this disease. The best prospects for control are likely to come from the use of 'hygienic' bees, those with a strong genetic tendency to uncap and remove dead pupae, together with good beekeeping practice. Ten strains of Australian commercial honey bee were evaluated for hygienic behaviour. Dead pupae were inserted into the colonies and checked after 3, 5 and 7 days for the number of pupae removed. Most colonies (80%) were non-hygienic and hence likely to be susceptible to chalkbrood. However, 2 strains provided good overall performance in the test and comprised 1 or 2 colonies that were highly hygienic. Colonies were evaluated 3 times, and the good performance of these colonies was repeatable across trials. These data suggest that hygienic behavioural morphs exist in Australia's commercial bee strains, and it is unnecessary to obtain breeding stock from overseas for this reason alone. Selective breeding, with relatively simple techniques which can be used by beekeepers and queen breeders, should produce suitable genotypes.

scholarly journals Simple approaches for environmental and mechanical management of the Varroa mite, Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Parasitiformes: Varroidae), on the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally F. M. Allam ◽  
Mourad F. Hassan ◽  
Ahmed S. Hassan ◽  
Mahmoud K. A. Abada
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Colony Collapse Disorder ◽  
Varroa Mite ◽  
White Card ◽  
Great Economic Importance ◽  
Colony Collapse ◽  
Grooming Behaviour

Abstract Background Varroa mite, Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Parasitiformes: Varroidae), is an ectoparasitic mite of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), with a great economic importance. It is the major deadlock of apiculture development all over the world. Results This work aimed to assess the effect of bee house and dark bee house on numbers of Varroa mite on white card board sheets, worker broods, and alive bees during spring and autumn of 2018 and 2019. Two types of card board for sticking the fallen Varroa mite were evaluated through winter of 2019. Keeping honey bee hives in a dark room during March and September of 2018 and 2019 for a successive 3 days resulted in a great reduction in the number of Varroa inner bee hive, i.e., on the white card board sheets, area of broods, and alive honey bee. Highest number of fallen Varroa mite on the white card board sheets was obtained in the case of using the dark bee house during March and September in 2018 and 2019, followed by keeping in a normal bee house then those fallen in the case of the open apiary. Conclusion The dark bee house grooming behaviour increased through 3 days of dark. Environmental management of bee house and dark bee house can be promising in colony collapse disorder. Modified adhesive sheets were more efficient in this regard than the normal ones.

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