Seasonal prevalence of pathogens and parasites in the savannah honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata)

Strauss, Ursula; Human, Hannelie; Gauthier, Laurent; Crewe, Robin M.; Dietemann, Vincent; Pirk, Christian Walter Werner

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2013.05.003

Cited by 76 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 78 publications

(110 reference statements)

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“…The tolerance of these honeybees for higher infestation rates could be due to the absence of deleterious virus (e.g. deformed wing virus) outbreaks in the honeybee and Varroa populations used in this study (Strauss et al 2013). This is in contrast to other parts of the world where Varroa mites and honeybee viruses are very prevalent and may have contributed to the weakening and mortality of a significant number of honeybee colonies (Berthoud et al 2010;Genersch et al 2010;Martin et al 2012;Francis et al 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…However, the positive effects of acaricide treatment might have appeared over a longer period, while the debilitating effects of mite presence could have accumulated over time in untreated colonies. Given that mortality due to the mite has not been reported in the A. m. scutellata population 6-7 years after the initial invasion (Allsopp 2006) and recently (Strauss et al 2013;Pirk et al 2014), this is unlikely.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Varroa destructor on honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) colony development in South Africa

et al. 2014

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The devastating effects of Varroa destructor on European honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) have been well documented. Not only do these mites cause physical damage to parasitised individuals when they feed on them, they also transmit viruses and other pathogens, weaken colonies and can ultimately cause their death.Nevertheless, not all honeybee colonies are doomed once Varroa mites become established. Some populations, such as the savannah honeybee, A. m. scutellata, have become tolerant after the introduction of the parasite and are able to withstand the presence of these mites without the need for acaricides. In this study, we measured daily Varroa mite fall, Varroa infestation rates of adult honeybees and worker brood and total Varroa population size in acaricide treated and untreated honeybee colonies. In addition, honeybee colony development was compared in order to measure the cost incurred by Varroa mites to their hosts. Daily Varroa mite fall decreased over the experimental period with different dynamics in treated and untreated colonies. Varroa infestation rates in treated adult honeybees and brood were lower than in untreated colonies, but not significantly so. Thus indicating a minimal benefit of treatment thereby suggesting that A. m. scutellata have the ability to maintain mite populations at low levels. We obtained baseline data on Varroa population dynamics in a tolerant honeybee over the winter period. Varroa mites appeared to have a low impact on this honeybee population, given that colony development was similar in the treated and untreated colonies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Varroa destructor on honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) colony development in South Africa

et al. 2014

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“…There are many reports confirming the presence of N. apis (Hussein 2001a, b;Swart et al 2001;Fries and Raina 2003;Ellis and Munn 2005;Strauss et al 2013;Mumoki et al 2014) in Africa, but there are only two reports of N. ceranae in colonies from Algeria and Benin (Higes et al 2009;Cornelissen et al 2011). N. apis and N. ceranae are microsporidian gut parasites that cause nosemosis in adult honeybees.…”

Section: Nosema Apis and N Ceranaementioning

confidence: 99%

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

Pirk¹,

Strauss²,

Yusuf³

et al. 2015

Apidologie

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-Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) pathogens and parasites and the negative effects thereof on honeybee populations remain an issue of public concern and the subject of active research. Africa with its high genetic diversity of honeybee sub-species and large wild population is also exposed to various factors responsible for colony losses in other parts of the world. Apart from the current American foulbrood epidemic in the Western Cape of South Africa, no large-scale colony losses have been reported elsewhere on the continent. We discuss the presence of pathogens, parasites, pests and predators of African honeybees as well as the threats they face in relation to habitat changes arising from the impact of increased human populations. In addition, we discuss current efforts aimed at protecting and promoting the health of African honeybees.honeybees / Africa / honeybee health / pathogens / parasites / pests / predators / habitat loss

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“…The following parameters were recorded: infertility (live and dead foundresses with no offspring), fertility (production of offspring), fecundity (number of offspring produced), number of mature daughters, and presence (alive and dead) or absence of adult males (Dietemann et al 2013). …”

Section: Assessment Of Varroa Mite Reproduction In Drone and Worker Bmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Foundresses were distinguished from mature daughters by their darker colouration (Dietemann et al 2013), which can be a reliable distinction in some African honeybee sub-species due to the short post-capping time (Moritz, 1985). Cells containing one foundress were considered in determining Varroa reproductive success.…”

Section: Assessment Of Varroa Mite Reproduction In Drone and Worker Bmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resistance rather than tolerance explains survival of savannah honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata) to infestation by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor

et al. 2015

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SUMMARYVarroa destructor is considered the most damaging parasite affecting honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). However, some honeybee populations such as the savannah honeybee (A. m. scutellata) can survive mite infestation without treatment. It is unclear if survival is due to resistance mechanisms decreasing parasite reproduction or to tolerance mechanisms decreasing the detrimental effects of mites on the host. This study investigates both aspects by quantifying the reproductive output of V. destructor and its physiological costs at the individual host level. Costs measured were not consistently lower when compared to susceptible honeybee populations, indicating a lack of tolerance. In contrast, reproduction of V. destructor mites was distinctly lower than in susceptible populations. There was a higher proportion of infertile individuals and the reproductive success of fertile mites was lower than measured to date, even in surviving populations. Our results suggest that survival of savannah honeybees is based on resistance rather than tolerance to this parasite. We identified traits that may be useful for breeding programs aimed at increasing the survival of susceptible populations. African honeybees may have benefited from a lack of human interference, allowing natural selection to shape a population of honeybees that is more resistant to Varroa mite infestation.2

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Seasonal prevalence of pathogens and parasites in the savannah honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata)

Abstract: The loss of Apis mellifera L. colonies in recent years has, in many regions of the world, been alarmingly In spite of hosting few pathogens, yet most parasites, A. m. scutellata colonies appeared to be healthy.

Cited by 76 publications

References 78 publications

Impact of Varroa destructor on honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) colony development in South Africa

Impact of Varroa destructor on honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) colony development in South Africa

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

Resistance rather than tolerance explains survival of savannah honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata) to infestation by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor

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