Review on Chalkbrood Disease of Honey Bee

Abstract

Ascosphaera apis is the sole source of the invasive mycosis known as “chalkbrood disease”, which only affects honeybee larvae. Around 5-37% less honey is produced globally as a result of the illness, and 80% of broods perish. Because of the disease’s current severity, more pesticides are used, and colonies are frequently transported over great distances, which may have created new opportunities for Ascosphaera apis infection. There are signs that the incidence of this disease, which is now widespread worldwide, may be increasing. It is also highly unlikely that Ascosphaera apis will ever be completely eradicated due to its widespread distribution throughout the world, the fact that it can persist for more than 15-years in soil near infected apiaries, and the fact that viable spores can be found in stored honey, pollen, pollen capsules and tablets, used hive components, and used beekeeping tools and equipment. Safe control of the disease has been noted to be challenging, despite the fact that management techniques, medications, and the adoption of particular chalkbrood-resistant bees have all been demonstrated to have some benefits thus far. Thus, current research for a better understanding of chalkbrood will focus on genetic engineering for better fungus manipulation, molecular investigation of Ascosphaera apis pathogenesis pathways, and the potential identification of strategies to break the pathway through the identification of responsible genes for its pathogenesis. Some researchers have noted the prevalence of chalkbrood disease and linked chalkbrood diseases to bee colony losses and decreased productivity in affected bee colonies.