Incidence of American foulbrood infections in feral honey bee colonies in New Zealand

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Goodwin ◽  
A. Ten Houten ◽  
J. H. Perry
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Bee Colonies

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

Effect of shaking honey bee colonies affected by American foulbrood onPaenibacillus larvae larvaespore loads

2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
M L Del Hoyo ◽  
M Basualdo ◽  
A Lorenzo ◽  
M A Palacio ◽  
E M Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Bee Colonies

scholarly journals Screening of Paenibacillus Larvae Spores in Apiaries from Eastern Poland. Nationwide Survey. Part I

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Pohorecka ◽  
Marta Skubida ◽  
Andrzej Bober ◽  
Dagmara Zdańska
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Agar Medium ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Sheep Blood Agar ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Sheep Blood ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Culture Positive

Abstract Screening of the prevalence of Paenibacillus larvae spores in honey bee colonies in apiaries from 162 districts, belonging to nine provinces was carried out during 2009-2011. The honey samples were examined by the use of a culture method. Based on the number of CFUs grown on Columbia sheep blood agar medium, the level of infection and probability of American foulbrood outbreak was estimated. Altogether, 6,510 pooled honey samples from 32,550 bee colonies located in 2,294 apiaries were collected. P. larvae was identified in 45% of the surveyed apiaries. The widest distribution of P. larvae was found in the Małopolskie province. Culture-positive honey samples were obtained for 71% of the apiaries and in a half of them, the level of spores was high. In the Warmińsko-Mazurskie province, the presence of the bacterium was detected in 58% of the apiaries. In the remaining provinces, from 26% to 47% of the apiaries were contaminated with P. larvae spores

scholarly journals American foulbrood and its causative agent, Paenibacillus larvae, in New Zealand’s registered hives and apiaries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Samantha Amy Montrose Graham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Paenibacillus Larvae ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
American Foulbrood ◽  
Infection Rates

<p>Though the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is exposed to an extensive diversity of parasites and pathogens from multiple kingdoms, few are as devastating as American foulbrood. American foulbrood is a highly contagious bacterial disease, of which the causative agent (bacterium Paenibacillus larvae) infects honey bee brood through the ingestion of its spores, ultimately leading to the death of the infected larva and the collapse of the infected hive. Paenibacillus larvae’s genotypes (ERIC I-IV) exhibit differing ‘killing time’ of infected larvae, resulting in different larval and colony level virulence of the disease within hives.  American foulbrood is found in New Zealand’s registered hives, and poses a threat to the country’s apiculture industry. The first objective of this thesis was to perform a genetic analysis on New Zealand’s P. larvae field strains using the well-established methodology of rep-PCR with MBO REP1 primers. A total of 172 bacteria isolates were gathered from registered hives from 2011 to 2014 and examined. The MBO REP1 primer identifies the ‘beta’ genetic subgroups of P. larvae. By identifying beta subgroups, the ERIC genotypes that are present in New Zealand can also be concluded. The genetic analysis of P. larvae using rep-PCR is a first for New Zealand, and appears to be a first for Australasia. The second objective of this thesis was to conduct a temporal and geographical statistical analysis on American foulbrood infection rate trends in New Zealand’s national and regional, divided into seven regions, registered hives and apiaries from 1994 to 2013.  The genetic analysis of P. larvae detected three ‘beta’ genotypic subgroups: B, b, and Б. From these findings it was concluded that ERIC I and ERIC II are present in New Zealand. Previous to my findings, subgroup B and Б and ERIC II genotype had not been recorded outside of Europe. The statistical analysis reported that American foulbrood infection rates were significantly decreasing nationally. Results also reported that four of the seven regions’ infection rates were significantly decreasing, whilst three regions were significantly increasing.  Conclusions on the subgroups and genotypes present in New Zealand gives the first insight to the virulence and occurrence of P. larvae strains. Additionally, the use of rep-PCR for the genetic analysis of P. larvae enables this thesis to contribute to the increasing knowledge on American foulbrood. By examining the temporal and geographic dynamics of American foulbrood, the results allow for the evaluation of current management strategies and the most recent understanding on the national and regional infection rates of the disease.</p>

scholarly journals The distribution and population dynamics of the honey bee pathogens Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tammy Leigh Waters
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Lotmaria Passim

<p>The honey bee Apis mellifera is experiencing colony losses across the world, this is not the first time in history colony losses have been reported. New molecular detection methods such as real-time PCR allow the detection and analysis of pathogens present in colonies, quickly and reliably.  Of the pathogens that the honey bee is host to, trypanosomes are one of the least understood and trypanosome interactions within the honey bee host remain largely unknown. Using the bumble bee as a model for this host-parasite relationship. The trypanosome C. bombi is known to cause a reduced ability to gain nutrients from food and an overall decrease in efficiency of queens in founding colonies in spring. These negative correlations are significant enough in the bumble bee to warrant investigation into trypanosomes in the honey bee.  The trypanosome C. mellificae was first described in the honey bee in 1967. A screening study in 2009 included a test for and detected the trypanosome in modern honey bee samples. In 2013 C. mellificae was identified as a contributory factor to overwintering colony losses when co-infected with N. ceranae. Following studies detected trypanosomes and led to the characterisation of a new species, L. passim in 2013. Lotmaria passim was first detected in New Zealand in 2014 however no subsequent studies had been undertaken to identify the distribution and dynamics of trypanosomes in New Zealand honey bee colonies.  My goal in this study was to identify the presence of trypanosomes in New Zealand. In an overview study of 47 honey bee colonies from across New Zealand, 46 were positive for the L. passim species. Identified by sequencing of the GAPDH gene. A yearlong study of 15 colonies revealed that the infection rate of L. passim was consistent throughout the year and very low genetic variation was detected. Lotmaria passim was detected in all parts of New Zealand sampled in this study and often in high levels. A positive correlation was detected when L. passim was present in addition to N. apis. There was no detection of C. mellificae in my study. The lack of detection of C. mellificae may suggest that the species is not present, or that it is in such low levels it cannot yet be detected.  In parallel to this trypanosome study two Nosema spp. and DWV were also examined. Nosema apis was found to be more prevalent than N. ceranae, which was not present in any South Island samples. A strong positive correlation was detected between the two Nosema spp. DWV showed a high level of variation likely a reflection of differing Varroa management practices in apiaries in this study.  This study of trypanosomes is the first of its kind in New Zealand identifying the presence and population dynamics of L. passim. This in conjunction with data on Nosema spp. and DWV will be of value to the New Zealand apiculture industry and contribute to global honey bee health studies.</p>

scholarly journals The distribution and population dynamics of the honey bee pathogens Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tammy Leigh Waters
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Lotmaria Passim

<p>The honey bee Apis mellifera is experiencing colony losses across the world, this is not the first time in history colony losses have been reported. New molecular detection methods such as real-time PCR allow the detection and analysis of pathogens present in colonies, quickly and reliably.  Of the pathogens that the honey bee is host to, trypanosomes are one of the least understood and trypanosome interactions within the honey bee host remain largely unknown. Using the bumble bee as a model for this host-parasite relationship. The trypanosome C. bombi is known to cause a reduced ability to gain nutrients from food and an overall decrease in efficiency of queens in founding colonies in spring. These negative correlations are significant enough in the bumble bee to warrant investigation into trypanosomes in the honey bee.  The trypanosome C. mellificae was first described in the honey bee in 1967. A screening study in 2009 included a test for and detected the trypanosome in modern honey bee samples. In 2013 C. mellificae was identified as a contributory factor to overwintering colony losses when co-infected with N. ceranae. Following studies detected trypanosomes and led to the characterisation of a new species, L. passim in 2013. Lotmaria passim was first detected in New Zealand in 2014 however no subsequent studies had been undertaken to identify the distribution and dynamics of trypanosomes in New Zealand honey bee colonies.  My goal in this study was to identify the presence of trypanosomes in New Zealand. In an overview study of 47 honey bee colonies from across New Zealand, 46 were positive for the L. passim species. Identified by sequencing of the GAPDH gene. A yearlong study of 15 colonies revealed that the infection rate of L. passim was consistent throughout the year and very low genetic variation was detected. Lotmaria passim was detected in all parts of New Zealand sampled in this study and often in high levels. A positive correlation was detected when L. passim was present in addition to N. apis. There was no detection of C. mellificae in my study. The lack of detection of C. mellificae may suggest that the species is not present, or that it is in such low levels it cannot yet be detected.  In parallel to this trypanosome study two Nosema spp. and DWV were also examined. Nosema apis was found to be more prevalent than N. ceranae, which was not present in any South Island samples. A strong positive correlation was detected between the two Nosema spp. DWV showed a high level of variation likely a reflection of differing Varroa management practices in apiaries in this study.  This study of trypanosomes is the first of its kind in New Zealand identifying the presence and population dynamics of L. passim. This in conjunction with data on Nosema spp. and DWV will be of value to the New Zealand apiculture industry and contribute to global honey bee health studies.</p>

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