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>

scholarly journals Effect of Abscisic Acid (ABA) Combined with Two Different Beekeeping Nutritional Strategies to Confront Overwintering: Studies on Honey Bees’ Population Dynamics and Nosemosis

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolás Szawarski ◽  
Agustín Saez ◽  
Enzo Domínguez ◽  
Rachel Dickson ◽  
Ángela De Matteis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Abscisic Acid ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Abiotic Stressors ◽  
Entire Experiment ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

In temperate climates, beekeeping operations suffer colony losses and colony depopulation of Apis mellifera during overwintering, which are associated with biotic and abiotic stressors that impact bees’ health. In this work, we evaluate the impacts of abscisic acid (ABA) dietary supplementation on honey bee colonies kept in Langstroth hives. The effects of ABA were evaluated in combination with two different beekeeping nutritional strategies to confront overwintering: “honey management” and “syrup management”. Specifically, we evaluated strength parameters of honey bee colonies (adult bee and brood population) and the population dynamics of Nosema (prevalence and intensity) associated with both nutritional systems and ABA supplementation during the whole study (late autumn-winter-early spring). The entire experiment was designed and performed with a local group of beekeepers, “Azahares del sudeste”, who showed interest in answering problems associated with the management of honey bee colonies during the winter. The results indicated that the ABA supplementation had positive effects on the population dynamics of the A. mellifera colonies during overwintering and on the nosemosis at colony level (prevalence) in both nutritional strategies evaluated.

scholarly journals Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer O. Han ◽  
Nicholas L. Naeger ◽  
Brandon K. Hopkins ◽  
David Sumerlin ◽  
Paul E. Stamets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Directed Evolution ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Bee Colonies

AbstractEntomopathogenic fungi show great promise as pesticides in terms of their relatively high target specificity, low non-target toxicity, and low residual effects in agricultural fields and the environment. However, they also frequently have characteristics that limit their use, especially concerning tolerances to temperature, ultraviolet radiation, or other abiotic factors. The devastating ectoparasite of honey bees, Varroa destructor, is susceptible to entomopathogenic fungi, but the relatively warm temperatures inside honey bee hives have prevented these fungi from becoming effective control measures. Using a combination of traditional selection and directed evolution techniques developed for this system, new strains of Metarhizium brunneum were created that survived, germinated, and grew better at bee hive temperatures (35 °C). Field tests with full-sized honey bee colonies confirmed that the new strain JH1078 is more virulent against Varroa mites and controls the pest comparable to current treatments. These results indicate that entomopathogenic fungi are evolutionarily labile and capable of playing a larger role in modern pest management practices.

scholarly journals Chronic exposure to a neonicotinoid pesticide and a synthetic pyrethroid in full-sized honey bee colonies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Odemer ◽  
Peter Rosenkranz
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Synthetic Pyrethroid ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Bee Colonies

ABSTRACTIn the last decade, the use of neonicotinoid insecticides increased significantly in the agricultural landscape and meanwhile considered a risk to honey bees. Besides the exposure to pesticides, colonies are treated frequently with various acaricides that beekeepers are forced to use against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Here we have analyzed the impact of a chronic exposure to sublethal concentrations of the common neonicotinoid thiacloprid (T) and the widely used acaricide τ-fluvalinate (synthetic pyrethroid, F) - applied alone or in combination - to honey bee colonies under field conditions. The population dynamics of bees and brood were assessed in all colonies according to the Liebefeld method. Four groups (T, F, F+T, control) with 8-9 colonies each were analyzed in two independent replications, each lasting from spring/summer until spring of the consecutive year. In late autumn, all colonies were treated with oxalic acid against Varroosis. We could not find a negative impact of the chronic neonicotinoid exposure on the population dynamics or overwintering success of the colonies, irrespective of whether applied alone or in combination with τ-fluvalinate. This is in contrast to some results obtained from individually treated bees under laboratory conditions and confirms again an effective buffering capacity of the honey bee colony as a superorganism. Yet, the underlying mechanisms for this social resilience remain to be fully understood.

scholarly journals Using Commercial Bumble Bee Colonies as Backup Pollinators for Honey Bees to Produce Cucumbers and Watermelons

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Stanghellini ◽  
J.T. Ambrose ◽  
J.R. Schultheis
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Citrullus Lanatus ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Insect Visitation ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Fruit Abortion ◽  
Bee Colonies

The effectiveness of bumble bees, Bombus impatiens Cresson, and honey bees, Apis mellifera L., on the pollination of cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., and watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai, was compared under field conditions. Comparisons were based on fruit abortion rates and seed set as influenced by bee type (honey bee or bumble bee) and the number of bee visits to treatment flowers (1, 6, 12, and 18 bee visits), plus two controls: a no-visit treatment and an open-pollinated (unrestricted visitation) treatment. For both crops, an increased number of bee visits had a strong positive effect on fruit and seed set. All cucumber and watermelon flowers bagged to prevent insect visitation aborted, demonstrating the need for active transfer of pollen between staminate and pistillate flowers. Bumble bee-visited flowers consistently had lower abortion rates and higher seed sets in the cucumber and watermelon studies than did honey bee-visited flowers when compared at the same bee visitation level. Only slight differences in fruit abortion rates were detected between bee types in the watermelon study. However, abortion rates for bumble bee-visited flowers were consistently less than those for honey bee-visited flowers when compared at equal bee visitation levels, with one exception at the 12 bee visit level. As the number of honey bee colonies continues to decline due to parasitic mite pests and based on the data obtained, we conclude that bumble bees have a great potential to serve as a supplemental pollinator for cucumbers, watermelons, and possibly other vine crops, when honey bees available for rental are in limited supply.

scholarly journals Monitoring of Honey Bee Colony Losses: A Special Issue

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 403
Author(s):  
Aleš Gregorc
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Colony Management ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Honey Bee Colony ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Honey Bee Colony Losses

In recent decades, independent national and international research programs have revealed possible reasons for the death of managed honey bee colonies worldwide. Such losses are not due to a single factor, but instead are due to highly complex interactions between various internal and external influences, including pests, pathogens, honey bee stock diversity, and environmental change. Reduced honey bee vitality and nutrition, exposure to agrochemicals, and quality of colony management contribute to reduced colony survival in beekeeping operations. Our Special Issue (SI) on ‘’Monitoring of Honey Bee Colony Losses’’ aims to address specific challenges facing honey bee researchers and beekeepers. This SI includes four reviews, with one being a meta-analysis that identifies gaps in the current and future directions for research into honey bee colonies mortalities. Other review articles include studies regarding the impact of numerous factors on honey bee mortality, including external abiotic factors (e.g., winter conditions and colony management) as well as biotic factors such as attacks by Vespa velutina and Varroa destructor.

scholarly journals Austrian COLOSS Survey of Honey Bee Colony Winter Losses 2018/19 and Analysis of Hive Management Practices

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes Oberreiter ◽  
Robert Brodschneider
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Favourable Effect ◽  
Winter Mortality ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Honey Bee Colony ◽  
Colony Survival ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Loss Rates

We conducted a citizen science survey on overwinter honey bee colony losses in Austria. A total of 1534 beekeepers with 33,651 colonies reported valid loss rates. The total winter loss rate for Austria was 15.2% (95% confidence interval: 14.4–16.1%). Young queens showed a positive effect on colony survival and queen-related losses. Observed queen problems during the season increased the probability of losing colonies to unsolvable queen problems. A notable number of bees with crippled wings during the foraging season resulted in high losses and could serve as an alarm signal for beekeepers. Migratory beekeepers and large operations had lower loss rates than smaller ones. Additionally, we investigated the impact of several hive management practices. Most of them had no significant effect on winter mortality, but purchasing wax from outside the own operation was associated with higher loss rates. Colonies that reported foraging on maize and late catch crop fields or collecting melezitose exhibited higher loss rates. The most common Varroa destructor control methods were a combination of long-term formic acid treatment in summer and oxalic acid trickling in winter. Biotechnical methods in summer had a favourable effect on colony survival.

scholarly journals Modelling Food and Population Dynamics in Honey Bee Colonies

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e59084 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Khoury ◽  
Andrew B. Barron ◽  
Mary R. Myerscough
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Bee Colonies

scholarly journals Kırşehir İlindeki Arılıklarda Nosema Hastalığının Belirlenmesi

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mithat Büyük ◽  
Rahşan İvgin Tunca ◽  
Atilla Taşkın
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Nosema Ceranae ◽  
Nosema Apis ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Nosema Disease ◽  
Bee Colonies

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Nosema disease caused by Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis in bee colonies in Kırşehir. A hundred worker honey bee samples were collected from each of 51 beekeepers in 31 locations in 5 provinces of Kırşehir (Centrium, Mucur, Akpınar, Boztepe and Kaman) in July 2014. A total 5100 samples were used in this study. The microscopic examinations of the study suggested that there was existence of Nosema spores in Centrium, Mucur, Akpınar and Boztepe with 25%, 23.07%, 12.5% and 60%, respectively; whereas no spores were detected in Kaman province. It was found a positive correlation between humidity and numbers of nosema spores. Molecular analyses showed that N. ceranae is only Nosema type in studied all positive samples.

scholarly journals Inventory of managed honey bee population in Zhytomyr region (Ukraine)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-137
Author(s):  
O. V. Lisohurska ◽  
D. V. Lisohurska ◽  
V. M. Sokolyuk ◽  
S. V. Furman ◽  
M. M. Kryvyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
The State ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
Pasture Area ◽  
Bee Colonies

Over the last decades, the number of honey bee colonies in the world has been declining. A honey bee is the most important pollinator in agriculture. According to estimates, such a situation can threaten the food security of humanity. The purpose was to investigate the specific aspects of the managed honey bee population in Zhytomyr region. The population dynamics, number, and density were determined. For this purpose the statistics of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on the number of bee colonies by categories of producers in Ukraine and Zhytomyr region were used. It was established that in Zhytomyr region over the past quarter century, the population of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has increased by 2 times up to 193.4 thousand colonies. During the same period, the number of bee colonies in Ukraine has increased by 1.4 times. At present, Zhytomyr region is a leader in the state in the development of the beekeeping industry. Eight percent of all honey bee colonies in the country are concentrated here. In the Zhytomyr region, the density of honey bee population is one of the highest in Ukraine. 82 colonies are concentrated here on one conditional pasture area (1256 hectares), with 7 colonies per 100 hectares of land. In Ukraine, these indicators are 52 and 4 respectively. The distribution of bee colonies in the region is uneven. The vast majority of colonies (58.5%) are concentrated in the Polissia. There are from 1 to 18 colonies per 100 hectares of land in each of the units in the region, on the conditional pasture area from 16 to 224. The results of these studies are relevant for the commodity apiaries for the rational use of honey flow and to make a well-considered decision on the prospect of increasing the number of bee colonies. Further work will be aimed at the investigation into the melliferous base and the calculation of the feed balance of the beekeeping industry in Zhytomyr region.

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