Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to identify which Nosema species infect those Apis mellifera worker bees performing different functions in the colony. Samples were taken from different places inside and outside the hive, in the honey flow season. In February 2010, winter hive debris from 30 colonies was analyzed, and based on the microsporidian species identified by multiplex PCR. The following bee colonies (none of which displayed clinical symptoms of the disease) were selected for further analyses to determine the occurrence of microsporidian parasites: 1) colony A/C infected with Nosema apis and N. ceranae (mixed infection), 2) colony A infected with N. apis, 3) colony C - infected with N. ceranae, and 4) colony K - the control, which was free of infection. Between April and August, 20 nurse bees from frames of open brood, and 20 forager bees returning to the hive from pollen-collecting trips were randomly selected from each colony at 30-day intervals. The results of the study indicate that the microsporidian species is determined not only by the type of worker bee (sampling site), but also by the period (month) of the sample collection. Our findings also suggest that regardless of the type of initial infection, bees infected by different microsporidian species and bees free from infection can coexist in colonies.
Highlights
European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are affected by two microsporidian species of the genus Nosema spp. - the N. apis and the N. ceranae
Recent research results obtained at European academic centers indicate that disease caused by the second microsporidian species, N. ceranae, poses a greater threat for bees of the genus A. mellifera than N. apis parasites
With N. apis infections, the incidence of disease caused by N. ceranae remains leveled throughout the honey flow season (Klee et al, 2007; Martín-Hernández et al, 2007)
Summary
European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are affected by two microsporidian species of the genus Nosema spp. - the N. apis and the N. ceranae. Those single-celled parasitic organisms colonize the gastrointestinal tract of worker bees and drones. They are regarded as highly specialized fungi of the genus Microsporea (Fries, 2010). The intensity of infections caused by N. apis gradually increases as the bee colony develops. This pathogenic process is stabilized in the summer, and infection levels remain low. Recent research results obtained at European academic centers indicate that disease caused by the second microsporidian species, N. ceranae, poses a greater threat for bees of the genus A. mellifera than N. apis parasites. With N. apis infections, the incidence of disease caused by N. ceranae remains leveled throughout the honey flow season (Klee et al, 2007; Martín-Hernández et al, 2007)
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