scholarly journals Hygienic behaviour selection via freeze-killed honey bee brood not associated with chalkbrood resistance in eastern Australia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody Gerdts ◽  
R. Laurie Dewar ◽  
Michael Simone-Finstrom ◽  
Trevor Edwards ◽  
Michael Angove
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Hygienic Behaviour ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Test Population ◽  
Breeding Selection ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Queen Mothers

AbstractHygienic behaviour is a social immune response in honey bees shown to help provide resistance to honey bee pests and diseases. A survey of hygienic behaviour and brood diseases was conducted on 649 colonies in eastern Australia to initiate a selective breeding program targeting disease resistance and provide a level of resistance to Varroa (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman and V. jacobsoni Oudemans) mites should they become established in Australia. The test population showed a remarkably high baseline level of hygienic behaviour with 17% of colonies meeting or exceeding breeding selection thresholds. Colonies belonging to a breeding program were 5.8 times more likely to be highly hygienic and colonies headed by queens raised from hygienic queen mothers were 2.2 times more likely. Nectar availability (nectar yielding flowering plants within honey bee forage range) influenced hygienic behaviour expression but was not a significant predictor of level of hygienic behaviour. Surprisingly, hygienic behaviour was not a significant predictor of the presence of infection of the honey bee brood disease chalkbrood (Ascosphaera apis) and was not influential in predicting severity of chalkbrood the infection in surveyed honey bee colonies. This study, along with reports from commercial beekeepers that chalkbrood infection is on the rise, warrants a deeper exploration of the host-pathogen relationship between Apis mellifera and Ascosphaera apis in Australia.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Bee Larvae to Chalkbrood in Relation to Hygienic Behaviour of Worker Bees in Colonies of Chosen Races of Honeybee (Apis Mellifera )

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Panasiuk ◽  
Małgorzata Bieńkowska ◽  
Dariusz Gerula ◽  
Paweł Węgrzynowicz
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Hygienic Behaviour ◽  
Apis Mellifera Carnica ◽  
Apis Mellifera Mellifera ◽  
Apis Mellifera Caucasica ◽  
P Colonies ◽  
Bee Colonies

Abstract The susceptibility of bee larvae to Ascosphaera apis infestation and the hygienic behaviour of worker bees in relation to A. apis infected and freeze-killed brood were evaluated in three races of bees: Apis mellifera carnica, Apis mellifera caucasica, and Apis mellifera mellifera. Experimental bee colonies were evaluated in field conditions during the three beekeeping seasons. The lowest percentage of infected larvae was observed in car GR1 and mel A colonies (8.5% and 15%, respectively) and the highest in car Mr and cau P colonies (21% and 24.3%, respectively). Bees in the car GR1 and mel A colonies removed mummified brood in a shorter period of time (6.5 and 7.1 days on average, respectively) than car Mr and cau P colonies (above 8 days). Bees in the mel A and car GR1 colonies cleaned significantly more cells with freeze-killed brood within 24 and 48 hours (above 70% and 80% on average, respectively) than car Mr and cau P colonies (on average 10 - 20% lower cleaning rate). A low correlation coefficient was found for the susceptibility of larvae to A. apis infection and hygienic behaviour.

TOXICITY EFFECTS AND CHALKBROOD INCIDENCE IN HONEY BEE1 COLONIES FED CONTROLLED DOSES OF FUNGICIDES2,3

1985 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-178
Author(s):  
A. Stoner ◽  
W. T. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Sorbic Acid ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Repellent Effect ◽  
Sodium Propionate ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Bee Colonies

Folpet and a combination with folpet, benomyl, citral, sodium propionate, and sorbic acid were fed or exposed to honey bee, Apis mellifera L., field colonies to: 1) determine their long-term toxic effects on the bees; and 2) to determine if chalkbrood (CB) disease, Ascosphaera apis (Maassen ex Claussen) Olive et Spiltor, is inhibited or controlled by the compounds. When folpet was fed to honey bee colonies in sucrose syrup, the group fed the highest rate (1000 ppm) never differed significantly (P > 0.05) from the control colonies. There was an equal number of adult bees, an equal amount of sealed brood, and mortality was identical. Analysis indicated significantly (P < 0.05) fewer CB mummies in treatment groups fed 10 or 1000 ppm folpet, but this apparent benefit may have been due to seasonal changes of reduced CB infection that occur in late summer. Folpet or a combination of folpet, benomyl, citral, sodium propionate, and sorbic acid (1000 ppm each, total 5000 ppm) incorporated into lipid/sucrose extender patties produced no significant (P > 0.05) effect of any kind on colonies to which they were applied, including CB infection. However, when the combination of five fungicides (5000 ppm) was impregnated into beeswax foundation and exposed to honey bee colonies, only a small amount of comb was drawn on the test foundation, indicating a repellent effect. Otherwise, the test foundation had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the honey bees or the CB infection.

Swarming, defensive and hygienic behaviour in honey bee colonies of different genetic origin in a pan-European experiment

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Uzunov ◽  
Cecilia Costa ◽  
Beata Panasiuk ◽  
Marina Meixner ◽  
Per Kryger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Genetic Origin ◽  
Hygienic Behaviour ◽  
Bee Colonies

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 Hygienic behaviour selection via freeze-killed honey bee brood not associated with chalkbrood resistance in eastern Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. e0203969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody Gerdts ◽  
R. Laurie Dewar ◽  
Michael Simone Finstrom ◽  
Trevor Edwards ◽  
Michael Angove
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Hygienic Behaviour ◽  
Eastern Australia

scholarly journals INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF PESTS AND DISEASES ATTACKING HONEY BEE COLONIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 223-224
Author(s):  
M. E. Sweelam ◽  
A. A. A. Abdelaal ◽  
A. M. Khataby
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Bee Colonies

scholarly journals The Herbal Supplements NOZEMAT HERB® and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS®: An Alternative Therapy for N. ceranae Infection and Its Effects on Honey Bee Strength and Production Traits

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Rositsa Shumkova ◽  
Ralitsa Balkanska ◽  
Peter Hristov
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Herbal Supplements ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
First Time ◽  
Bee Colonies

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are the most effective pollinators for different crops and wild flowering plants, thus maintaining numerous ecosystems in the world. However, honey bee colonies often suffer from stress or even death due to various pests and diseases. Among the latter, nosemosis is considered to be one of the most common diseases, causing serious damage to beekeeping every year. Here, we present, for the first time, the effects from the application of the herbal supplements NOZEMAT HERB® (NH) and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS® (NHP) for treating N. ceranae infection and positively influencing the general development of honey bee colonies. To achieve this, in autumn 2019, 45 colonies were selected based on the presence of N. ceranae infections. The treatment was carried out for 11 months (August 2019–June 2020). All colonies were sampled pre- and post-treatment for the presence of N. ceranae by means of light microscopy and PCR analysis. The honey bee colonies’ performance and health were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. The obtained results have shown that both supplements have exhibited statistically significant biological activity against N. ceranae in infected apiaries. Considerable enhancement in the strength of honey bee colonies and the amount of sealed workers was observed just one month after the application of NH and NHP. Although the mechanisms of action of NH and NHP against N. ceranae infection are yet to be completely elucidated, our results suggest a new holistic approach as an alternative therapy to control nosemosis and to improve honey bee colonies’ performance and health.

Identification and Treatment of European Foulbrood in Honey Bee Colonies

EDIS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Mueller ◽  
Cameron Jack ◽  
Ashley N. Mortensen ◽  
Jamie D. Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
European Foulbrood ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Honey Bee Larvae

European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that affects Western honey bee larvae. It is a concern to beekeepers everywhere, though it is less serious than American foulbrood because it does not form spores, which means that it can be treated. This 7-page fact sheet written by Catherine M. Mueller, Cameron J. Jack, Ashley N. Mortensen, and Jamie Ellis and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department describes the disease and explains how to identify it to help beekeepers manage their colonies effectively and prevent the spread of both American and European foulbrood.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1272

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