Application of Environmental DNA: Honey Bee behavior and Ecosystems for Sustainable Beekeeping

Growing interest has been emerging on the need to monitor the genetic integrity of the European Apis mellifera subspecies that could be threatened by the human-mediated dispersion of non-native populations and lines. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages can provide useful information for this purpose. In this study, we took advantage of the environmental DNA (eDNA) contained in the honey, which can be analyzed to detect the main groups of mitotypes of the honey bees that produced it. In this study, we applied this eDNA to produce a distribution map all over the Italian peninsula and the two major islands (Sicily and Sardinia) of the following three honey bee mtDNA lineages: A, C and M. A total of 607 georeferenced honey samples, produced in all Italian regions, was analyzed to detect these lineages. The A lineage was widespread in Sicily, as expected, considering that A. m. siciliana carries the African lineage. Surprisingly, this lineage was also reported in about 14% of all other samples produced in almost all continental regions, and in Sardinia. The applied method obtained an updated distribution map of honey bee mtDNA lineages that could be useful to design policies for the conservation of Italian honey bee genetic resources.

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Molecular Detection of Nosema spp. in Honey in Bulgaria

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci9010010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Delka Salkova ◽

Rositsa Shumkova ◽

Ralitsa Balkanska ◽

Nadezhda Palova ◽

Boyko Neov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Honey Bee ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Environmental Samples ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Nosema Ceranae ◽

Nosema Apis ◽

Varroa Mite ◽

Exogenous Dna

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is related to screening genetic material of various organisms in environmental samples. Honey represents a natural source of exogenous DNA, which allows for the detection of different honey bee pathogens and parasites. In the present study, we extracted DNA from 20 honey samples from different regions in Bulgaria and tested for the presence of DNA of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, as well as Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Only Nosema ceranae was detected, showing up in 30% of all samples, which confirms the widespread prevalence of this pathogen. All positive samples were found in plain regions of the country, while this pathogen was not detected in mountainous parts. None of the samples gave positive amplifications for the Nosema apis and Varroa mite. The obtained results from this study confirm previous observations that eDNA contained in honey is a potent source for effective biomonitoring of actual diseases in the honey bee.

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Honey as a Source of Environmental DNA for the Detection and Monitoring of Honey Bee Pathogens and Parasites

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci7030113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 113

Author(s):

Anisa Ribani ◽

Valerio Joe Utzeri ◽

Valeria Taurisano ◽

Luca Fontanesi

Keyword(s):

Honey Bee ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Nosema Apis ◽

Acarapis Woodi ◽

Ascosphaera Apis ◽

Monitoring Tools ◽

Invasive Organisms ◽

Pcr Assays ◽

Lotmaria Passim

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been proposed as a powerful tool to detect and monitor cryptic, elusive, or invasive organisms. We recently demonstrated that honey constitutes an easily accessible source of eDNA. In this study, we extracted DNA from 102 honey samples (74 from Italy and 28 from 17 other countries of all continents) and tested the presence of DNA of nine honey bee pathogens and parasites (Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, Ascosphaera apis,Lotmaria passim, Acarapis woodi, Varroa destructor, and Tropilaelaps spp.) using qualitative PCR assays. All honey samples contained DNA from V. destructor, confirming the widespread diffusion of this mite. None of the samples gave positive amplifications for N. apis, A. woodi, and Tropilaelaps spp. M. plutonius was detected in 87% of the samples, whereas the other pathogens were detected in 43% to 57% of all samples. The frequency of Italian samples positive for P. larvae was significantly lower (49%) than in all other countries (79%). The co-occurrence of positive samples for L. passim and A. apis with N. ceranae was significant. This study demonstrated that honey eDNA can be useful to establish monitoring tools to evaluate the sanitary status of honey bee populations.

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Identification and Treatment of European Foulbrood in Honey Bee Colonies

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-in1272-2019 ◽

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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