Resistance to Chalkbrood Disease in Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies with Different Hygienic Behaviour

Abstract

Chalkbrood disease affects the larvae of honeybees Apis mellifera L. and is caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis. Infected larvae die when they are stretched in the cap cell and suffer a gradual hardening that ends in a very hard structure (mummie). Several studies have demonstrated that colonies that express an ef icient hygienic behaviour (uncapping of cell and subsequent removal of dead brood) exhibit a higher resistance to the disease. However, it remains unclear whether the advantage of hygienic colonies over less hygienic ones lies in the ability to remove mummies or in the early detection of infected larvae and its cannibalization before they harden. To elucidate this aspect, the hygienic behaviour of 24 colonies, which were subsequently provided with pollen cakes containig A. apis, was evaluated. The number of mummies and the number of partially cannibalized and whole larvae in uncapped cells were recorded. The most hygienic colonies controlled the disease better. These colonies also had a higher tendency to uncap cells that contained infected larvae and cannibalize them. The presence of A. apis in partially cannibalized and whole larvae in uncapped cells indicate that the advantage of hygienic colonies over less hygienic ones lies in the early detection of infected larvae death and their quick removal from the cell before they become mummies.

Innate expression of antimicrobial peptides does not explain genotypic diversity in resistance to fungal brood parasites in the honey bee

“…These complexities of the host's immune defence introduce confounding factors in the patterns of specific host-parasite co-evolution. Furthermore, colony-level behavioural resistance mechanisms mediated by the workers such as hygienic behaviour (Invernizzi et al 2011), resin collection (Simone-Finstrom and Spivak 2012), larval immunisation (Traniello et al 2002) and larval gut microbiota (Omar et al 2014) may represent a significant resistance pressure driving the patterns of parasite virulence and host resistance. Mechanisms such as these might uncouple the specific innate immune responses from resistance patterns witnessed within the colony.…”

Reproductive modification in forest plantations: impacts on biodiversity and society

“…In plantations without active pollination management, seed production is often low and pollen‐limited (reviewed in Moncur et al ., ), which may result in reduced seed consumer abundance and/or richness compared with other land uses. Most Eucalyptus species provide copious and sugar‐rich nectar resources (Moncur et al ., ), and beekeepers in many parts of the world will bring honey bee colonies to plantations during flowering to promote honey production (Moncur et al ., ; Invernizzi et al ., ). However, honey bee colonies apparently cannot be sustained on Eucalyptus floral resources alone, likely due to the relatively low protein content of pollen (Moncur et al ., ; Invernizzi et al ., ).…”

“…Year-round (2010) (Moncur et al, 1995;Invernizzi et al, 2011). However, honey bee colonies apparently cannot be sustained on Eucalyptus floral resources alone, likely due to the relatively low protein content of pollen (Moncur et al, 1995;Invernizzi et al, 2011).…”

“…Year-round (2010) (Moncur et al, 1995;Invernizzi et al, 2011). However, honey bee colonies apparently cannot be sustained on Eucalyptus floral resources alone, likely due to the relatively low protein content of pollen (Moncur et al, 1995;Invernizzi et al, 2011). Among flower visitors are several species that are of conservation concern in some regions, including the Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) and the Blue-Eyed Cockatoo (Cacatua ophthalmica), which are endangered and vulnerable species that frequently feed on nectar, flowers and pollen (Marsden & Pilgrim, 2003;Hingston et al, 2004b;Hingston & Potts, 2005).…”

Comparative Flight Activities and Pathogen Load of Two Stocks of Honey Bees Reared in Gamma-Irradiated Combs

“…The resistance to diseases or parasitic mites among stocks of honey bees varies [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Likewise, several components of foraging behavior are known to be varied based on bee genotypes both within and across colonies [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”