<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>In recent years, increased deforestation and replacement of areas intended for intensive cultivation have caused pathogens and parasites of <italic>Apis mellifera</italic> bees to emerge in regions where they had not previously been reported. Such is the case of the advancement of <italic>Ascosphaera apis</italic>, a fungus that causes a drop in colonies’ bee larvae population and great economic losses to beekeeping activity during severe cases. In northern Argentina, few studies have focused on this important entomopathogen. This is the first study on <italic>A. apis</italic> isolated from commercial pollen in Entre Ríos, Jujuy, and Misiones provinces, where its prevalence in bee colonies has not been reported. We identified this entomopathogen using macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular analyses, focusing on its botanical origin as a possible transmission route. We found the pathogenicity of each strain in <italic>A. mellifera</italic> bees to below 30%. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of sanitary measures that may reduce this disease’s progression in local apiaries.</p>
</abstract>

In recent years, increased deforestation and replacement of areas intended for intensive cultivation have caused pathogens and parasites of Apis mellifera bees to emerge in regions where they had not previously been reported. Such is the case of the advancement of Ascosphaera apis, a fungus that causes a drop in colonies’ bee larvae population and great economic losses to beekeeping activity during severe cases. In northern Argentina, few studies have focused on this important entomopathogen. This is the first study on A. apis isolated from commercial pollen in Entre Ríos, Jujuy, and Misiones provinces, where its prevalence in bee colonies has not been reported. We identified this entomopathogen using macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular analyses, focusing on its botanical origin as a possible transmission route. We found the pathogenicity of each strain in A. mellifera bees to below 30%. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of sanitary measures that may reduce this disease’s progression in local apiaries.

First Record of <italic>Ascosphaera apis</italic> Isolated from Commercial Pollen from Northern Argentinian Provinces

Journal of Apicultural Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

First Record of  Isolated from Commercial Pollen from Northern Argentinian Provinces

In recent years, increased deforestation and replacement of areas intended for intensive cultivation have caused pathogens and parasites of Apis mellifera bees...

First Record of Ascosphaera apis Isolated from Commercial Pollen from Northern Argentinian Provinces

Article Category: Original Article

Published Online: Jun 24, 2021

Page range: 147 - 161

Received: Jul 16, 2020

Accepted: Feb 14, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2021-0007

Keywords
chalk brood, pathogenicity, pollen

© 2021 Marcos R. Tejerina et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

First Record of Ascosphaera apis Isolated from Commercial Pollen from Northern Argentinian Provinces

Article Category: Original Article

Published Online: Jun 24, 2021

Page range: 147 - 161

Received: Jul 16, 2020

Accepted: Feb 14, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2021-0007

Keywordschalk brood, pathogenicity, pollen

© 2021 Marcos R. Tejerina et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
chalk brood, pathogenicity, pollen