Parasites, pathogens, and pests of honeybees in Asia

Abstract

Asia is home to at least nine honeybee species, including the introduced Apis mellifera. In addition to A. mellifera and Apis cerana being widely employed for commercial beekeeping, the remaining nonmanaged species also have important ecological and economic roles on the continent. Species distributions of most honeybee species overlap in Southeast Asia. This promotes the potential for interspecific transmission of pests and parasites and their spread to other parts of the world by human translocation. The decline of honeybee populations is of great concern around the world, including in Asia. The global colony losses of A. mellifera are believed to be caused, in part, by parasites, pathogens, and pests originating from Asia, such as the mite Varroa destructor , the microsporidian Nosema ceranae , and some bee viruses. This review discusses important pests, pathogens, and parasites in both the introduced A. mellifera and native honeybees in Asia to provide an overall picture of honeybee health in the region and future threats to the apiculture industry.

Comparative susceptibility and immune responses of Asian and European honey bees to the American foulbrood pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae

“…Honey bees are the most economically valuable pollinators in the world (Gallai et al ., ). Nevertheless, honey bees are attacked by numerous parasites and pathogens, such as ectoparasitic mites, microsporidia, fungi, viruses, and bacteria (Chen et al ., , ; Evans & Schwarz, ; McMenamin & Genersch, ; Chantawannakul et al ., ; Tehel et al ., ). One of the most destructive diseases affecting honey bee larvae is American foulbrood (AFB) disease caused by a Gram‐positive, spore‐forming bacterial pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae (Ebeling et al ., ).…”

“…Nevertheless, honey bees are attacked by numerous parasites and pathogens, such as ectoparasitic mites, microsporidia, fungi, viruses, and bacteria (Chen et al, 2004Evans & Schwarz, Correspondence: Panuwan Chantawannakul, Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Tel: +66 05 3943346; fax: +66 053892259; email: panuwan@gmail.com 2011;McMenamin & Genersch, 2015;Chantawannakul et al, 2016;Tehel et al, 2016). One of the most destructive diseases affecting honey bee larvae is American foulbrood (AFB) disease caused by a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterial pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae (Ebeling et al, 2016).…”

“…AFB is widespread in colonies across several European countries and the United States (vanEngelsdorp & Meixner, 2010). In contrast, honey bees infected by P. larvae were found to be less frequent in southeast Asia (Chantawannakul et al, 2016). Currently, A. mellifera occurs throughout most of the natural distribution area of A. cerana in Asia (Yañez et al, 2015).…”

Inside Honeybee Hives: Impact of Natural Propolis on the Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor and Viruses

“…Moreover, the commercial use and international trade of bees and bee products likely promotes the dispersal of diseases and pests [13,19,20,21]. Consequently, honeybees worldwide suffer from various pests and pathogens [21,22,23,24]. …”

Constraints of HACCP Application on Edible Insect for Food and Feed

“…Intensive production results in a higher probability of spreading diseases for the raising animals [46]. The experience from rearing bees has shown that animal-specific diseases might have negative economic outcomes [47]; thus, if the insects' production takes off for higher levels of intensive production, it is predictable that specific diseases might spread in the farms, and administration of veterinary drugs has to be considered, creating a problem with drug residues similar to that we face actually with meat from conventional husbandry [48,49]. Recording of all procedures and measures that have impact on food safety should be made continuously.…”