Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
Posters
 

Research Project: BREEDING, GENETICS, STOCK IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF RUSSIAN HONEY BEES FOR MITE AND SMALL HIVE BEETLE CONTROL AND POLLINATION

Location: Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research

Title: Standard methods for fungal brood disease research

Authors
item Jensen, Annette -
item Aronstein, Katherine
item Flores, Jose -
item Vojvodic, Svjetlana -
item Palacio, Maria -
item Spivak, Marla -

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: September 12, 2012
Publication Date: January 2, 2013
Citation: Jensen, A.B., Aronstein, K.A., Flores, J.M., Vojvodic, S., Palacio, M., Spivak, M. 2013. Standard methods for fungal brood disease research. Journal of Apicultural Research 52(1):#13 in 2013 COLOSS Bee Book

Interpretive Summary: Two fungal genera (Ascosphaera and Aspergillus) are known to infect honey bee brood, causing chalkbrood and stonebrood diseases. Both are ascomycetes within the Eurotiomycetes. The fungus causing chalkbrood in honey bees has a narrow host range and a unique infection route, it relies solely on sexual reproduction and has many host-specific adaptations. In contrast, the fungi causing stonebrood (Aspergillus spp) are facultative pathogens with a broad host range, they produce asexual conidia and their infection biology resembles many well-known insect pathogenic fungi. In this manuscript, we describe disease pathology, research methodologies and protocols for isolating and culturing these pathogens that will help bee scientists and extension personnel conducting basic and applied studies.

Technical Abstract: Chalkbrood and stonebrood are two fungal diseases associated with honey bee brood. Chalkbrood, caused by Ascosphaera apis, is a common and widespread disease that can result in severe reduction of emerging worker bees and thus overall colony productivity. Stonebrood is caused by Aspergillus spp. that are rarely observed, so the impact on colony health is not very well understood. A major concern with the presence of Aspergillus in honey bees is the production of airborne conidia, which can lead to allergic reactions in humans. In this manuscript, we describe disease pathology, research methodologies and protocols for isolating and culturing these pathogens that will help extension personnel and bee scientists conducting basic and applied studies.

   

 
Project Team
Rinderer, Thomas - Tom
Bourgeois, Lanie
Villa, Joseph - Jose
Holloway, Beth
Tarver, Matthew
De Guzman, Lilia
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Crop Production (305)
 
Related Projects
   Genome Characterization of the Mite Varroa Destructor, the Primary Pest of Honey Bees
   DEVELOPMENT OF APIS MELLIFERA SYRIACA GENETIC STOCK WITH INCREASED RESISTANCE TO PARASITIC BEE MITES
   PREPARING FOR VARROA: HOW SUSCEPTIBLE ARE AUSTRALIAN HONEY BEE STOCKS?
 
 
Last Modified: 05/18/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House