<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this study was to identify which <italic>Nosema </italic>species infect those <italic>Apis mellifera </italic>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 <italic>Nosema apis </italic>and <italic>N. ceranae </italic>(mixed infection), 2) colony A infected with <italic>N. apis</italic>, 3) colony C - infected with <italic>N. ceranae, </italic>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.</p></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.

Detection of Nosema spp. in Worker Bees of Different Ages During the Flow Season

Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland

Journal of Apicultural Science

{"article-title":"Detection of Nosema spp. in Worker Bees of Different Ages During the Flow Season"}

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...

Detection of Nosema spp. in Worker Bees of Different Ages During the Flow Season

Published Online: Jan 12, 2013

Page range: 19 - 25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10289-012-0020-z

Keywords
Apis mellifera, Nosema ceranae, Nosema apis, PCR, seasonality.

This content is open access.

Detection of Nosema spp. in Worker Bees of Different Ages During the Flow Season

Published Online: Jan 12, 2013

Page range: 19 - 25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10289-012-0020-z

KeywordsApis mellifera, Nosema ceranae, Nosema apis, PCR, seasonality.

This content is open access.

Keywords
Apis mellifera, Nosema ceranae, Nosema apis, PCR, seasonality.