Nosema: the Silent Killer Wm. Michael Hood, PhD Clemson University - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Nosema: the Silent Killer Wm. Michael Hood, PhD Clemson University - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mar 18, 2024 316 likes •532 views

Nosema: the Silent Killer Wm. Michael Hood, PhD Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina Nosema sp. Nosema Disease parasitic disease of adult bees caused by microsporidian Nosema apis or Nosema ceranae which in advanced living

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Nosema: the Silent Killer

  • Wm. Michael Hood, PhD

Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina

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Nosema sp.

  • Nosema Disease – parasitic disease of adult

bees caused by microsporidian Nosema apis

  • r Nosema ceranae which in advanced living

conditions forms long living spores which live in the mid-gut of the honey bee.

  • Results in reduced yield of honey and other

bee products and poor quality and reduced yields in agriculture.

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“Continued”

  • Honey bees afflicted with nosema start to

forage earlier, which pathological changes of their mid-gut epithelial cells , as well as digestive and metabolic disorders, cause malnutrition leading to premature death.

  • Nosema is a significant disease, which often

escapes the notice of beekeepers.

  • Nosema has been given the name “the Silent

Killer” of honey bees.

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Spores consumed by comb-cleaning bees Spores infect ventriculus Nosema multiplies inside ventriculus cells Spores shed in feces on comb Nosema disease life cycle in the bee hive

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Nosema sp. spores seen only with a microscope

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Nosema sp.

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Suspect Nosema disease when:

  • Large number of dead adult bees are present
  • n the bottom board in winter.
  • Sick, crawling bees on the ground in front of

hive

  • Weakening of the bee colony
  • Loss of queen
  • Bee feces marks the frames and entrance to

hive.

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Common Sources of Nosema Infection

  • unsanitary water supply
  • honey-comb marked with feces of infected

bees

  • contaminated honey
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Factors favoring the spread of Nosema

  • Use of old comb
  • Robbing
  • Bad beekeeping practices
  • Sudden temperature fluctuations
  • Poor pasturage
  • Disturbance
  • Frequent colony movement
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Reduce the incidence of Nosema:

  • Frequent comb replacement
  • Feeding pollen substitutes and supplements

high in protein

  • Hive placement to encourage flight
  • Fumigation of stored combs with ethylene
  • xide, heat, or irradiating hive equipment
  • As a last resort, feed bees an antibiotic

fumagillin

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Questions ?