Looking to Nature to Solve the Health Crisis of Honey Bees

Radcliffe, Robin W.; Seeley, Thomas D.

doi:10.1002/9781119583417.ch1

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Honeybees, solitary bees, bumblebees and many other pollinating insects not only act as biosensors for the health of natural ecosystems, and play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, but they also provide food for human and animal consumption [1]. Although several species of pollinator insects are necessary for the pollination of plants, the most economically important is the European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, many years of intensive research and loss monitoring [9][10][11][12][13][14] have not revealed a specific cause of honeybee colony decay, which is why it is thought to be caused by the simultaneous action of several pathogens and exposure to other adverse environmental factors. Influences such as habitat loss, pesticide use, pathogens, climate change, and local weather conditions act simultaneously and cause increased susceptibility of honeybee colonies to disease [1,[15][16][17]. Although the cause is different, depending on the region or geographical area, dead honeybee colonies are most often associated with a high degree of infestation with parasitic mite Varroa destructor and Vairimorpha spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Winter Hive Debris Analysis Is Significant for Assessing the Health Status of Honeybee Colonies (Apis mellifera)

Tlak Gajger,

Bakarić,

Toplak

et al. 2024

Insects

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Honeybee diseases are one of the most significant and most common causes of honeybee colonies’ weakness and death. An early diagnosis of subclinical infections is necessary to implement precautionary and control measures. Sampling debris from hive bottom boards is simple, non-invasive, and cheap. In this study, we collected winter debris samples in apiaries located in the continental part of Croatia. We used molecular methods, PCR and qPCR, for the first time to analyze those samples. Laboratory results were compared with the health condition and strength of honeybee colonies at an apiary in spring. Our study successfully identified the presence and quantity of various pathogens, including the presence of Vairimorpha spp. (Nosema spp.), quintefied Paenibacillus larvae, Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), and Sacbrood Virus (SBV). However, our analysis did not detect Melissococcus plutonius, Crithidia mellificae, Lotmaria passim, and Aethina tumida. Samples of winter debris were also examined for the presence and quantification of the V. destructor mites, and their natural mite fall was observed in spring. Honeybee colonies were simultaneously infected by an average of four to six pathogens. Some observed honeybee colonies developed characteristic symptoms, while others did not survive the winter.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%