1
|
Power K, Cilia G, Ragusa E, Rizzo R, Bortolotti L, Maiolino P. Occurrence of Nosema ceranae, Ascosphaera apis and trypanosomatids in Vespa orientalis linneus 1771. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 206:108168. [PMID: 39004165 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Vespa orientalis is spreading across the Italian and European territories leading to new interactions among species, which could lead to the transmission of pathogens between species. Detection of honey bee viruses in V. orientalis has already been revealed in both adults and larvae, while no information is available regarding parasitic occurrence. Sixty adult hornets collected across apiaries in the South of Italy were subjected to cytological, histopathological and biomolecular examination to evaluate the occurrence of Nosema ceranae, Ascosphaera apis, Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae, and Crithidia bombi. Cytological examination revealed the presence of Nosema spores in 38.33% of individuals while histopathological analysis showed the presence of L. passim-like elements in the rectum of two examined specimens and the presence of fungal hyphae in the small intestine of another hornet. Biomolecular investigation revealed that N. ceranae was the most prevalent pathogen (50.0%), followed by A. apis (6.66%), L. passim (6.66%) and C. bombi (6.0%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Power
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cilia
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Centre for Agriculture and Environment Research (CREA-AA), 40128 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ernesto Ragusa
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzo
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, 90145 Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Bortolotti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Centre for Agriculture and Environment Research (CREA-AA), 40128 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paola Maiolino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tejerina MR, Cabana MJ, Enríquez PA, Benítez-Ahrendts MR, Fonseca MI. Bacterial Strains Isolated from Stingless Bee Workers Inhibit the Growth of Apis mellifera Pathogens. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:106. [PMID: 38418777 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03618-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Apis mellifera bees are an important resource for the local economy of various regions in Argentina and the maintenance of natural ecosystems. In recent years, different alternatives have been investigated to avoid the reduction or loss of colonies caused by pathogens and parasites such as Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, and Paenibacillus larvae. We focused on bacterial strains isolated from the intestine of native stingless bees, to elucidate their antagonistic effect on diseases of A. mellifera colonies. For this purpose, worker bees of the species Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Plebeia spp., and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis were captured from the entrance to tree hives and transported to the laboratory, where their intestines were extracted. Twenty bacterial colonies were isolated from the intestines, and those capable of inhibiting enterobacteria in vitro and producing organic acids, proteases, and chitinases were selected. Four genera, Levilactobacillus, Acetobacter, Lactiplantibacillus, and Pantoea, were selected and identified by the molecular marker that codes for the 16S rRNA gene. For inhibition assays, cell suspensions and cell-free suspensions were performed. All treatments showed significant antibacterial effects, in comparison with the controls, against P. larvae and antifungal effects against A. apis and A. flavus. However, the mechanisms by which these bacteria inhibit the growth of these pathogens were not studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Raúl Tejerina
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina.
- Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 1239, San Salvador de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina.
| | - María José Cabana
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Pablo Adrián Enríquez
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rafael Benítez-Ahrendts
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad Apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
- Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 1239, San Salvador de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - María Isabel Fonseca
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Biotecnología "Dra. María Ebe Reca" (INBIOMIS), Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Misiones, Argentina
- CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Babin A, Schurr F, Delannoy S, Fach P, Huyen Ton Nu Nguyet M, Bougeard S, de Miranda JR, Rundlöf M, Wintermantel D, Albrecht M, Attridge E, Bottero I, Cini E, Costa C, De la Rúa P, Di Prisco G, Dominik C, Dzul D, Hodge S, Klein AM, Knapp J, Knauer AC, Mänd M, Martínez-López V, Medrzycki P, Pereira-Peixoto MH, Potts SG, Raimets R, Schweiger O, Senapathi D, Serrano J, Stout JC, Tamburini G, Brown MJF, Laurent M, Rivière MP, Chauzat MP, Dubois E. Distribution of infectious and parasitic agents among three sentinel bee species across European agricultural landscapes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3524. [PMID: 38347035 PMCID: PMC10861508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious and parasitic agents (IPAs) and their associated diseases are major environmental stressors that jeopardize bee health, both alone and in interaction with other stressors. Their impact on pollinator communities can be assessed by studying multiple sentinel bee species. Here, we analysed the field exposure of three sentinel managed bee species (Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris and Osmia bicornis) to 11 IPAs (six RNA viruses, two bacteria, three microsporidia). The sentinel bees were deployed at 128 sites in eight European countries adjacent to either oilseed rape fields or apple orchards during crop bloom. Adult bees of each species were sampled before their placement and after crop bloom. The IPAs were detected and quantified using a harmonised, high-throughput and semi-automatized qPCR workflow. We describe differences among bee species in IPA profiles (richness, diversity, detection frequencies, loads and their change upon field exposure, and exposure risk), with no clear patterns related to the country or focal crop. Our results suggest that the most frequent IPAs in adult bees are more appropriate for assessing the bees' IPA exposure risk. We also report positive correlations of IPA loads supporting the potential IPA transmission among sentinels, suggesting careful consideration should be taken when introducing managed pollinators in ecologically sensitive environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Babin
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France.
| | - Frank Schurr
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Sabine Delannoy
- IdentyPath Genomics Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Patrick Fach
- IdentyPath Genomics Platform, Food Safety Laboratory, ANSES, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Bougeard
- ANSES, Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Epidemiology and Welfare, France
| | - Joachim R de Miranda
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maj Rundlöf
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dimitry Wintermantel
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eleanor Attridge
- Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations, Tullamore, Ireland
| | - Irene Bottero
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elena Cini
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Cecilia Costa
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Corticella 133, 40128, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gennaro Di Prisco
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Corticella 133, 40128, Bologna, Italy
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, The Italian National Research Council, Piazzale E. Ferni 1, 80055, Portici, Napoli, Italy
| | - Christophe Dominik
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, 06120, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Dzul
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Simon Hodge
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexandra-Maria Klein
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Knapp
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anina C Knauer
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marika Mänd
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vicente Martínez-López
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Bioscience Building, L69 7ZB, Liverpool, UK
| | - Piotr Medrzycki
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Corticella 133, 40128, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Helena Pereira-Peixoto
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon G Potts
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Risto Raimets
- Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Community Ecology, 06120, Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Deepa Senapathi
- Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - José Serrano
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jane C Stout
- Botany, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Giovanni Tamburini
- Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- University of Bari, Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DiSSPA-Entomology and Zoology), Bari, Italy
| | - Mark J F Brown
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution & Behaviour, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK
| | - Marion Laurent
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Rivière
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Chauzat
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France
- Paris-Est University, ANSES, Laboratory for Animal Health, 94701, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eric Dubois
- ANSES, Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, Unit of Honey bee Pathology, 06902, Sophia Antipolis, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Eakins J, Lynch M, Carolan JC, Rowan NJ. Studies on the novel effects of electron beam treated pollen on colony reproductive output in commercially-reared bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) for mass pollination applications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165614. [PMID: 37478954 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Commercially-reared bumblebees provide an important pollinator service that helps support food production and security. The deployment of an appropriate non-thermal disinfection technology for the bulk treatment of pollen collected from honeybees for the feeding of commercial bumblebees is important in order to mitigate against complex diseases and unwanted pathogen spillover to native bees. High level disinfection of pollen was achieved using an electron (e)-beam dose of 100 kGy that corresponded to 78 % loss of cellular viability of bee pathogens before feeding to bumblebees as measured by the novel in vitro use of flow cytometry (FCM). Novel findings showed that e-beam treated-pollen that was fed to bumblebees produced fewer females, gynes and exhibited an absence of males when compared to control bumblebee colonies that were fed untreated commercial pollen. A similar trend emerged in bumblebee colony reproductive outputs when using membrane filtered washed pollen. Proteomic analysis of bumblebees from individual colonies fed with treated-pollen revealed a differential abundance of proteins associated with stress, immunity and metabolism when compared to the untreated pollen control group. Microbiome analysis of the bumblebee gut content revealed differences in microbiota between treated and untreated pollen in bumblebee colony studies. This novel study evaluated the impact of industrial e-beam treated-pollen on complex bee disease mitigation where physically treated-pollen fed to bumblebees was shown to substantially affect colony reproductive outputs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Eakins
- Centre for Disinfection and Sterilization, Faculty of Science and Health, Technological Institute of the Shannon, Midlands Campus, Ireland; Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - M Lynch
- Centre for Disinfection and Sterilization, Faculty of Science and Health, Technological Institute of the Shannon, Midlands Campus, Ireland
| | - J C Carolan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - N J Rowan
- Centre for Disinfection and Sterilization, Faculty of Science and Health, Technological Institute of the Shannon, Midlands Campus, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chapman KM, Richardson FJ, Forster CY, Middleton EJT, White TE, Burke PF, Latty T. Artificial flowers as a tool for investigating multimodal flower choice in wild insects. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10687. [PMID: 38020672 PMCID: PMC10659823 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Flowers come in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and odours. Flowers also differ in the quality and quantity of nutritional reward they provide to entice potential pollinators to visit. Given this diversity, generalist flower-visiting insects face the considerable challenge of deciding which flowers to feed on and which to ignore. Working with real flowers poses logistical challenges due to correlations between flower traits, maintenance costs and uncontrolled variables. Here, we overcome this challenge by designing multimodal artificial flowers that varied in visual, olfactory and reward attributes. We used artificial flowers to investigate the impact of seven floral attributes (three visual cues, two olfactory cues and two rewarding attributes) on flower visitation and species richness. We investigated how flower attributes influenced two phases of the decision-making process: the decision to land on a flower, and the decision to feed on a flower. Artificial flowers attracted 890 individual insects representing 15 morphospecies spanning seven arthropod orders. Honeybees were the most common visitors accounting for 46% of visitors. Higher visitation rates were driven by the presence of nectar, the presence of linalool, flower shape and flower colour and was negatively impacted by the presence of citral. Species richness was driven by the presence of nectar, the presence of linalool and flower colour. For hymenopterans, the probability of landing on the artificial flowers was influenced by the presence of nectar or pollen, shape and the presence of citral and/or linalool. The probability of feeding increased when flowers contained nectar. For dipterans, the probability of landing on artificial flowers increased when the flower was yellow and contained linalool. The probability of feeding increased when flowers contained pollen, nectar and linalool. Our results demonstrate the multi-attribute nature of flower preferences and highlight the usefulness of artificial flowers as tools for studying flower visitation in wild insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Chapman
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Freya J. Richardson
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Institute of AgricultureThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Caitlyn Y. Forster
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Eliza J. T. Middleton
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Thomas E. White
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Paul F. Burke
- UTS Business School and Centre for Business Intelligence and Data AnalyticsUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Tanya Latty
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Institute of AgricultureThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Čukanová E, Prodělalová J, Palíková M, Kováčová K, Linhart P, Papežíková I. Can the examination of different types of hive samples be a non-invasive method for detection and quantification of viruses in honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) colonies? J Vet Res 2023; 67:323-331. [PMID: 37786848 PMCID: PMC10541673 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2023-0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Honey bee viruses have been shown to negatively affect the vigour and longevity of European honey bees (Apis mellifera L). In the present work, beehive materials were tested for their potential to serve as non-invasive samples for honey bee virus detection. Material and Methods Honey, pollen, hive debris, hive grid smears and forager honey bees were collected from 24 hives at four locations in the Czech Republic. Deformed wing virus (DWV), acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), sacbrood virus (SBV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV) were detected using a reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR and the results for bees and alternative materials compared. Results All forager bee samples contained DWV, BQCV and SBV and 54.2% had ABPV. When comparing beehive materials to bees, the most promising results were obtained from honey and pollen samples, with BQCV and SBV detected in all honey samples and ABPV in 12.5%. Detection of SBV was achieved in 91.6% of pollen samples, detection of BQCV in 87.5% and detection of DWW in 75%. The results for debris and smears were less consistent with the viral profile of the forager samples. Conclusion The best candidate materials for honey bee virus detection in a non-invasive technique are honey and pollen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliška Čukanová
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42Brno, Czech Republic
- Veterinary Research Institute, 621 00Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Miroslava Palíková
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Kováčová
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Linhart
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Papežíková
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, 612 42Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tejerina MR, Cabana MJ, Cruz NM, Enríquez PA, Benitez-Ahrendts MR, Fonseca MI. Fungal microbiota isolated from native stingless bee species inhibited pathogens of Apis mellifera. Fungal Biol 2023; 127:1267-1275. [PMID: 37821148 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Social bees can establish interactions with microorganisms to keep their colonies free of pathogens and parasites by developing different protection strategies. We explored the fungal microbiota isolated from three species of stingless bees, Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Plebeias sp., and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis, and its potential ability to suppress pathogenic microorganisms of A. mellifera, namely Paenibacillus larvae, Ascosphaera apis and Aspergillus flavus, which were tested and evaluated. Six filamentous fungal strains, Trametes hirsuta, Alternaria alternata, Curvularia spicifera, Skeletocutis sp., Alternaria tenuissima, Monascus spp., as well as the yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus, were selected for trials and isolated from the heads of foraging bees. The fungal strains were identified by macroscopic and microscopic taxonomic characteristics and by sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal DNA. All fungal strains inhibited these pathogens of A. mellifera. We also evaluated the effect of the secondary metabolites extracted with and without ethanol. Both metabolites showed antimicrobial properties, and our results suggest that fungi isolated from stingless bees produce bioactive compounds with antibacterial and antifungal effects that could be used to treat Apis mellifera colony diseases and maintain colony health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Raúl Tejerina
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina; Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 1239, Jujuy, Argentina.
| | - María José Cabana
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Nancy Marina Cruz
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Pablo Adrián Enríquez
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Rafael Benitez-Ahrendts
- Cátedra de Microbiología, Sanidad apícola y Meliponícola, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Alberdi 47, 4600, Jujuy, Argentina; Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Bolivia 1239, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - María Isabel Fonseca
- Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Biotecnología "Dra. María Ebe Reca" (INBIOMIS), Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular, Misiones, Argentina; CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Strange JP, Tripodi AD, Huntzinger C, Knoblett J, Klinger E, Herndon JD, Vuong HQ, McFrederick QS, Irwin RE, Evans JD, Giacomini JJ, Ward R, Adler LS. Comparative analysis of 3 pollen sterilization methods for feeding bumble bees. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:662-673. [PMID: 36930576 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pollen is an essential component of bee diets, and rearing bumble bees (Bombus spp.) for commercial use necessitates feeding pollen in mass quantities. This pollen is collected from honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies because neither an artificial diet nor an economical, large-scale pollen collection process from flowers is available. The provenance of honey bee-collected pollen is often unknown, and in some cases has crossed international borders. Both deformed wing virus (DWV) and the fungal pathogen Ascosphaera apis (Claussen) Olive & Spiltoir (cause of chalkbrood disease); occur in honey bee-collected pollen, and infections have been observed in bumble bees. We used these pathogens as general surrogates for viruses and spore-forming fungal diseases to test the efficacy of 3 sterilization methods, and assessed whether treatment altered pollen quality for the bumble bee. Using honey bee-collected pollen spiked with known doses of DWV and A. apis, we compared gamma irradiation (GI), ozone fumigation (OZ), and ethylene oxide fumigation (EO) against an untreated positive control and a negative control. Following sterilization treatments, we tested A. apis spore viability, detected viral presence with PCR, and tested palatability to the bumble bee Bombus impatiens Cresson. We also measured bacterial growth from pollens treated with EO and GI. GI and EO outperformed OZ treatment in pathogen suppression. EO had the highest sterilizing properties under commercial conditions and retained palatability and supported bee development better than other treatments. These results suggest that EO sterilization reduces pathogen risks while retaining pollen quality as a food source for rearing bumble bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James P Strange
- USDA-ARS-Pollinating Insect Biology Management and Systematics Research Unit, Logan, UT 84341, United States
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | | | - Craig Huntzinger
- USDA-ARS-Pollinating Insect Biology Management and Systematics Research Unit, Logan, UT 84341, United States
| | - Joyce Knoblett
- USDA-ARS-Pollinating Insect Biology Management and Systematics Research Unit, Logan, UT 84341, United States
| | - Ellen Klinger
- USDA-ARS-Pollinating Insect Biology Management and Systematics Research Unit, Logan, UT 84341, United States
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - James D Herndon
- USDA-ARS-Pollinating Insect Biology Management and Systematics Research Unit, Logan, UT 84341, United States
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84321, United States
| | - Hoang Q Vuong
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Rebecca E Irwin
- Department of Applied Ecology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695United States
| | - Jay D Evans
- Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
| | - Jonathan J Giacomini
- Department of Applied Ecology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695United States
| | - Robert Ward
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322United States
| | - Lynn S Adler
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li A, Wang Q, Huang Y, Hu L, Li S, Wang Q, Yu Y, Zhang H, Tang DYY, Show PL, Feng S. Can egg yolk antibodies terminate the CSBV infection in apiculture? Virus Res 2023; 328:199080. [PMID: 36882131 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV) is the most severe pathogen of Apis cerana, which leads to serious fatal diseases in bee colonies and eventual catastrophe for the Chinese beekeeping industry. Additionally, CSBV can potentially infect Apis mellifera by bridging the species barrier and significantly affect the productivity of the honey industry. Although several approaches, such as feeding royal jelly, traditional Chinese medicine, and double-stranded RNA treatments, have been employed to suppress CSBV infection, their practical applicabilities are constrained due to their poor effectiveness. In recent years, specific egg yolk antibodies (EYA) have been increasingly utilized in passive immunotherapy for infectious diseases without any side effects. According to both laboratory research and practical use, EYA have demonstrated superior protection for bees against CSBV infection. This review provided an in-depth analysis of the issues and drawbacks in this field in addition to provide a thorough summary of current advancements in CSBV studies. Some promising strategies for the synergistic study of EYA against CSBV, including the exploitation of novel antibody drugs, novel TCM monomer/formula determination, and development of nucleotide drugs, are also proposed in this review. Furthermore, the prospects for the future perspectives of EYA research and applications are presented. Collectively, EYA would terminate CSBV infection soon, as well as will provide scientific guidance and references to control and manage other viral infections in apiculture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aifang Li
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Qianfang Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471023, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Lina Hu
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Shuxuan Li
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Yangfan Yu
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China
| | - Haizhou Zhang
- Luoyang Fengzaokang Biotechnological Co. Ltd., Luoyang, Henan 471000, China
| | - Doris Ying Ying Tang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43500, Malaysia
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan 43500, Malaysia; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Sustainable Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, India.
| | - Shuying Feng
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China; Luoyang Fengzaokang Biotechnological Co. Ltd., Luoyang, Henan 471000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ghramh HA, Khan KA. Honey Bees Prefer Pollen Substitutes Rich in Protein Content Located at Short Distance from the Apiary. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050885. [PMID: 36899742 PMCID: PMC10000118 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The availability of floral resources is crucial for honey bee colonies because it allows them to obtain protein from pollen and carbohydrates from nectar; typically, they consume these nutrients in the form of bee bread, which has undergone fermentation. However, the intensification of agriculture, urbanization, changes to the topography, and harsh environmental conditions are currently impacting foraging sites due to habitat loss and scarcity of food resources. Thus, this study aimed to assess honey bee preference for various pollen substitute diet compositions. Bee colonies perform poorly because of specific environmental problems, which ultimately result in pollen scarcity. Pollen substitutes located at various distance from the bee hive were also investigated in addition to determining the preferences of honey bees for various pollen substitute diets. The local honey bee (Apis mellifera jemenitica) colonies and different diets (four main treatments, namely, chickpea flour, maize flour, sorghum flour, wheat flour; each flour was further mixed with cinnamon powder, turmeric powder, flour only, flour mixed with both cinnamon and turmeric powder) were used. Bee pollen was used as a control. The best performing pollen substitutes were further placed at 10, 25, and 50 m distances from the apiary. Maximum bee visits were observed on bee pollen (210 ± 25.96) followed by chickpea flour only (205 ± 19.32). However, there was variability in the bee visits to the different diets (F (16,34) = 17.91; p < 0.01). In addition, a significant difference in diet consumption was observed in control (576 ± 58.85 g) followed by chickpea flour only (463.33 ± 42.84 g), compared to rest of the diets (F (16,34) = 29.75; p < 0.01). Similarly, foraging efforts differed significantly (p < 0.01) at the observed time of 7-8 A.M., 11-12 A.M., and 4-5 P.M. at the distance of 10, 25, and 50 m away from the apiary. Honey bees preferred to visit the food source that was closest to the hive. This study should be very helpful for beekeepers in supplementing their bee colonies when there is a shortage or unavailability of pollens, and it is much better to keep the food source near the apiary. Future research needs to highlight the effect of these diets on bee health and colony development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamed A. Ghramh
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Biology Department Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Ali Khan
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Applied College, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Balkanska R, Shumkova R, Atsenova N, Salkova D, Dundarova H, Radoslavov G, Hristov P. Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Deformed Wing Virus and Sacbrood Virus Isolated from Pollen. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020140. [PMID: 36851444 PMCID: PMC9965827 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Among many pathogens and pests, honey bee viruses are known as one of the most common cause of diseases in honey bee colonies. In this study, we demonstrate that pollen grains and bee bread are potential sources of viral DNA. We extracted DNA from 3 types of pollen samples: directly provided by beekeepers (n = 12), purchased from trade markets (n = 5), and obtained from honeycombs (bee bread, n = 10). The extracted DNA was used for molecular detection (RT-PCR analysis) of six of the most widely distributed honey bee viruses: deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus, acute bee paralysis virus, black queen cell virus, Kashmir bee virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus, and chronic bee paralysis virus. We successfully managed to establish only the deformed wing virus (DWV) and the sacbrood virus (SBV), with different distribution frequencies depending on the territory of the country. The phylogenetic analyses of Bulgarian isolates were performed with the most similar sequences available in molecular databases from other countries. Phylogenies of Bulgarian viral strains demonstrated genetically heterogeneous populations of DWV and relatively homogenous populations of SBV. In conclusion, the results obtained from the current study have shown that pollen is a valuable source for molecular detection of honey bee pathogens. This allows epidemiological monitoring of honey bee diseases at a regional and a national level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralitsa Balkanska
- Department “Special Branches”, Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Academy, 2230 Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
| | - Rositsa Shumkova
- Research Centre of Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, 4700 Smolyan, Bulgaria
| | - Nedyalka Atsenova
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Delka Salkova
- Department of Experimental Parasitology, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Heliana Dundarova
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Department of Ecosystem Research, Environmental Risk Assessment and Conservation Biology, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi Radoslavov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Hristov
- Department of Animal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Westreich LR, Westreich ST, Tobin PC. Bacterial and Fungal Symbionts in Pollen Provisions of a Native Solitary Bee in Urban and Rural Environments. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022:10.1007/s00248-022-02164-9. [PMID: 36576521 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02164-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Among insects, symbionts such as bacteria and fungi can be linked to their physiology and immature development, and in some cases are part of a defense system against parasites and diseases. Current bacterial and fungal symbiont associations in solitary bees are understudied, especially in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. We collected pollen provisions from the native spring-foraging solitary bee, Osmia lignaria Say, across two distinct foraging periods over 2 years at 22 sites along an urban-to-rural gradient in western Washington. We then used next-generation sequencing to identify bacterial and fungi within pollen provisions and assessed the effect of their richness and diversity on O. lignaria larval development success and adult emergence. We detected a significantly positive relationship between bacterial diversity in pollen with O. lignaria larval developmental success, and higher bacterial richness and diversity during the later foraging period. Fungal generic richness and diversity decreased with increasing plant richness. Although neither was associated with O. lignaria developmental success, we did detect Ascosphaera spp. known to be pathogenic to O. lignaria and other bee species. Neither bacterial or fungal richness or diversity was affected by site type when classified as urban or rural. This study provides new information on bacterial and fungal symbionts present in pollen provisions of a native solitary bee when foraging across urban and rural areas of the Pacific Northwest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lila R Westreich
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, 3715 W. Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | - Patrick C Tobin
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, 3715 W. Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kestel JH, Field DL, Bateman PW, White NE, Allentoft ME, Hopkins AJM, Gibberd M, Nevill P. Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in agricultural systems: Current uses, limitations and future prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157556. [PMID: 35882340 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global food production, food supply chains and food security are increasingly stressed by human population growth and loss of arable land, becoming more vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental perturbations. Numerous mutualistic and antagonistic species are interconnected with the cultivation of crops and livestock and these can be challenging to identify on the large scales of food production systems. Accurate identifications to capture this diversity and rapid scalable monitoring are necessary to identify emerging threats (i.e. pests and pathogens), inform on ecosystem health (i.e. soil and pollinator diversity), and provide evidence for new management practices (i.e. fertiliser and pesticide applications). Increasingly, environmental DNA (eDNA) is providing rapid and accurate classifications for specific organisms and entire species assemblages in substrates ranging from soil to air. Here, we aim to discuss how eDNA is being used for monitoring of agricultural ecosystems, what current limitations exist, and how these could be managed to expand applications into the future. In a systematic review we identify that eDNA-based monitoring in food production systems accounts for only 4 % of all eDNA studies. We found that the majority of these eDNA studies target soil and plant substrates (60 %), predominantly to identify microbes and insects (60 %) and are biased towards Europe (42 %). While eDNA-based monitoring studies are uncommon in many of the world's food production systems, the trend is most pronounced in emerging economies often where food security is most at risk. We suggest that the biggest limitations to eDNA for agriculture are false negatives resulting from DNA degradation and assay biases, as well as incomplete databases and the interpretation of abundance data. These require in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to carefully design, test and apply eDNA monitoring for reliable and accurate taxonomic identifications. We explore future opportunities for eDNA research which could further develop this useful tool for food production system monitoring in both emerging and developed economies, hopefully improving monitoring, and ultimately food security.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H Kestel
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia.
| | - David L Field
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
| | - Philip W Bateman
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna J M Hopkins
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group (MEEG), School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
| | - Mark Gibberd
- Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM), School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Paul Nevill
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Brown AF, Rodriguez V, Brzoska C, Pfister J, Neumann P, Retschnig G. Dream Team for Honey Bee Health: Pollen and Unmanipulated Gut Microbiota Promote Worker Longevity and Body Weight. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.864741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota are known to foster pollen digestion in honey bee workers, Apis mellifera, thereby enhancing longevity and body weight gain. However, it is currently not known how longevity and body weight gain are effected when gut microbiota are reduced in bees with or without access to pollen. Here, using a hoarding cage set-up with freshly emerged summer workers, we manipulated the gut microbiota of half the bees with the antibiotic tetracycline (ABX), and left the other half untreated on a sucrose solution diet. Afterwards, all bees were assigned to either sucrose diets or sucrose plus ad libitum access to pollen (N = 4 treatments, N = 26 bees/treatment, N = 10 replicates/treatment, N = 1,040 total workers). The data confirm that pollen has a positive effect on longevity and body weight in workers with an unmanipulated gut microbiota. Surprisingly, the antibiotics alone also improved the longevity and body weight of the workers fed a strictly sucrose diet, potentially explained by the reduction of harmful bacteria. However, this positive effect was reversed from an observed antagonistic interaction between pollen and antibiotics, underscoring the innate value of natural microbiota on pollen digestion. In conclusion, a combination of adequate pollen supply and an unmanipulated gut microbiota appears crucial to honey bee worker health, calling for respective efforts to ensure both in managed colonies.
Collapse
|
15
|
Hoover SE, Ovinge LP, Kearns JD. Consumption of Supplemental Spring Protein Feeds by Western Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies: Effects on Colony Growth and Pollination Potential. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:417-429. [PMID: 35181788 PMCID: PMC9007243 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Adequate nutrition is required to support productive honey bee colonies, therefore beekeepers supplement colonies with additional protein at targeted time points. We tested the effects of commercially available protein feeds in spring, in advance of colonies being used for hybrid canola pollination. The feed treatments across the three-year study included the following patty types: Global 15% pollen, Global 0% pollen, Bee Pollen-Ate, FeedBee, and Healthy Bees, as well as an unsupplemented control in year two of the study only. The amount of feed consumed varied among colonies, treatments, date, and year. Similarly, there were also differences in feed efficiency (bees reared per gram of feed consumed), likely due to the relative availability of external forage sources to supplement the feed provided. Unsupplemented colonies were able to rear less brood, and subsequently had fewer adult bees than supplemented colonies, in an apiary where pollen was not abundant. Differences in consumption among treatments often failed to translate in to differences in amount of brood reared or subsequent adult population. All the protein feed treatments contained all ten amino acids essential to honey bees, however lysine and arginine were below the optimal proportion required for growth in all patties except the FeedBee patty. The amount of protein and amount and types of sugars and fats in the products also varied among product type and batch. The results of this study demonstrate a benefit to supplementary spring protein feeding to increase honey bee colony populations in advance of a summer pollination market.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelley E Hoover
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Lynae P Ovinge
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Jeffery D Kearns
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nanetti A, Bortolotti L, Cilia G. Pathogens Spillover from Honey Bees to Other Arthropods. Pathogens 2021; 10:1044. [PMID: 34451508 PMCID: PMC8400633 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees, and pollinators in general, play a major role in the health of ecosystems. There is a consensus about the steady decrease in pollinator populations, which raises global ecological concern. Several drivers are implicated in this threat. Among them, honey bee pathogens are transmitted to other arthropods populations, including wild and managed pollinators. The western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is quasi-globally spread. This successful species acted as and, in some cases, became a maintenance host for pathogens. This systematic review collects and summarizes spillover cases having in common Apis mellifera as the mainteinance host and some of its pathogens. The reports are grouped by final host species and condition, year, and geographic area of detection and the co-occurrence in the same host. A total of eighty-one articles in the time frame 1960-2021 were included. The reported spillover cases cover a wide range of hymenopteran host species, generally living in close contact with or sharing the same environmental resources as the honey bees. They also involve non-hymenopteran arthropods, like spiders and roaches, which are either likely or unlikely to live in close proximity to honey bees. Specific studies should consider host-dependent pathogen modifications and effects on involved host species. Both the plasticity of bee pathogens and the ecological consequences of spillover suggest a holistic approach to bee health and the implementation of a One Health approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Bortolotti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis, Centre for Agriculture and Environment Research (CREA-AA), Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (A.N.); (G.C.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Cilia G, Zavatta L, Ranalli R, Nanetti A, Bortolotti L. Replicative Deformed Wing Virus Found in the Head of Adults from Symptomatic Commercial Bumblebee ( Bombus terrestris) Colonies. Vet Sci 2021; 8:117. [PMID: 34201628 PMCID: PMC8310072 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8070117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The deformed wing virus (DWV) is one of the most common honey bee pathogens. The virus may also be detected in other insect species, including Bombus terrestris adults from wild and managed colonies. In this study, individuals of all stages, castes, and sexes were sampled from three commercial colonies exhibiting the presence of deformed workers and analysed for the presence of DWV. Adults (deformed individuals, gynes, workers, males) had their head exscinded from the rest of the body and the two parts were analysed separately by RT-PCR. Juvenile stages (pupae, larvae, and eggs) were analysed undissected. All individuals tested positive for replicative DWV, but deformed adults showed a higher number of copies compared to asymptomatic individuals. Moreover, they showed viral infection in their heads. Sequence analysis indicated that the obtained DWV amplicons belonged to a strain isolated in the United Kingdom. Further studies are needed to characterize the specific DWV target organs in the bumblebees. The result of this study indicates the evidence of DWV infection in B. terrestris specimens that could cause wing deformities, suggesting a relationship between the deformities and the virus localization in the head. Further studies are needed to define if a specific organ could be a target in symptomatic bumblebees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Antonio Nanetti
- CREA Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (L.Z.); (R.R.); (L.B.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Managed bumble bees acquire parasites from their foraging environment: A case study on parasite spillback. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 182:107583. [PMID: 33781766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The use of commercially reared bumble bees in agricultural environments has been recognized as a potential threat to wild pollinators due to competition, genetic contamination, and most notably, disease transmission. Higher parasite prevalence near greenhouses where managed bumble bees are used has been linked to parasite spillover from managed to wild bees. However, pathogen transmission is not unidirectional, and can also flow from wild to managed bees. These newly infected managed bees can subsequently re-infect (other) wild bees, in a process known as spillback, which is an alternative explanation for the increased parasite prevalence near greenhouses. Reducing parasite prevalence in managed bees is key to controlling host-parasite dynamics in cases of spillover; in spillback, producing managed bees that are resilient to infection is important. Here we establish that the managed bumble bee Bombus terrestris can acquire parasites from their foraging environment, which is the major infection route for Apicystis spp. and Crithidia spp., but not for Nosema spp.. Managed B. terrestris were found to have a higher prevalence of Crithdia and a higher load of Apicystis than local wild conspecifics, showing that for these parasites, spillback is a possible risk scenario.
Collapse
|
19
|
Evidence for and against deformed wing virus spillover from honey bees to bumble bees: a reverse genetic analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16847. [PMID: 33033296 PMCID: PMC7546617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73809-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a persistent pathogen of European honey bees and the major contributor to overwintering colony losses. The prevalence of DWV in honey bees has led to significant concerns about spillover of the virus to other pollinating species. Bumble bees are both a major group of wild and commercially-reared pollinators. Several studies have reported pathogen spillover of DWV from honey bees to bumble bees, but evidence of a sustained viral infection characterized by virus replication and accumulation has yet to be demonstrated. Here we investigate the infectivity and transmission of DWV in bumble bees using the buff-tailed bumble bee Bombus terrestris as a model. We apply a reverse genetics approach combined with controlled laboratory conditions to detect and monitor DWV infection. A novel reverse genetics system for three representative DWV variants, including the two master variants of DWV—type A and B—was used. Our results directly confirm DWV replication in bumble bees but also demonstrate striking resistance to infection by certain transmission routes. Bumble bees may support DWV replication but it is not clear how infection could occur under natural environmental conditions.
Collapse
|
20
|
Bartolomé C, Buendía-Abad M, Benito M, Sobrino B, Amigo J, Carracedo A, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Maside X. Longitudinal analysis on parasite diversity in honeybee colonies: new taxa, high frequency of mixed infections and seasonal patterns of variation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10454. [PMID: 32591554 PMCID: PMC7319982 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67183-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the influence that parasites have on the losses of Apis mellifera it is essential to monitor their presence in the colonies over time. Here we analysed the occurrence of nosematids, trypanosomatids and neogregarines in five homogeneous colonies for up to 21 months until they collapsed. The study, which combined the use of several molecular markers with the application of a massive parallel sequencing technology, provided valuable insights into the epidemiology of these parasites: (I) it enabled the detection of parasite species rarely reported in honeybees (Nosema thomsoni, Crithidia bombi, Crithidia acanthocephali) and the identification of two novel taxa; (II) it revealed the existence of a high rate of co-infections (80% of the samples harboured more than one parasite species); (III) it uncovered an identical pattern of seasonal variation for nosematids and trypanosomatids, that was different from that of neogregarines; (IV) it showed that there were no significant differences in the fraction of positive samples, nor in the levels of species diversity, between interior and exterior bees; and (V) it unveiled that the variation in the number of parasite species was not directly linked with the failure of the colonies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Bartolomé
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - María Buendía-Abad
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - María Benito
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Beatriz Sobrino
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servicio Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jorge Amigo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servicio Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Angel Carracedo
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Servicio Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Departamento de CC. Forenses, Anatomía Patolóxica, Xinecoloxía e Obstetricia, e Pediatría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain.,Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Fundación Parque Científico Tecnológico de Albacete, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180, Marchamalo, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Departamento de CC. Forenses, Anatomía Patolóxica, Xinecoloxía e Obstetricia, e Pediatría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yaremenko IA, Syromyatnikov MY, Radulov PS, Belyakova YY, Fomenkov DI, Popov VN, Terent’ev AO. Cyclic Synthetic Peroxides Inhibit Growth of Entomopathogenic Fungus Ascosphaera apis without Toxic Effect on Bumblebees. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081954. [PMID: 32331472 PMCID: PMC7221740 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the number of pollinators in the world has significantly decreased. A possible reason for this is the toxic effects of agrochemicals reducing the immunity of insects that leads to their increased susceptibility to pathogens. Ascosphaera apis is a dangerous entomopathogenic fungus, afflicting both honeybees and bumblebees. We investigated fungicide activity of cyclic synthetic peroxides against A. apis isolated from Bombus terrestris L. The peroxides exhibited high mycelium growth inhibition of A. apis up to 94–100% at concentration 30 mg/L. EC50 values were determined for the most active peroxides. Two peroxides showed higher antifungal activity against A. apis than the commercial fungicide Triadimefon. The studied peroxides did not reduce the ability of bumblebees to fly and did not lead to the death of bumblebees. A new field of application for peroxides was disclosed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan A. Yaremenko
- N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (I.A.Y.); (P.S.R.); (Y.Y.B.); (D.I.F.)
- All-Russian Research Institute for Phytopathology, B. Vyazyomy, Moscow Region 143050, Russia
| | - Mikhail Y. Syromyatnikov
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, Voronezh 394018, Russia; (M.Y.S.); (V.N.P.)
| | - Peter S. Radulov
- N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (I.A.Y.); (P.S.R.); (Y.Y.B.); (D.I.F.)
- All-Russian Research Institute for Phytopathology, B. Vyazyomy, Moscow Region 143050, Russia
| | - Yulia Yu. Belyakova
- N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (I.A.Y.); (P.S.R.); (Y.Y.B.); (D.I.F.)
- All-Russian Research Institute for Phytopathology, B. Vyazyomy, Moscow Region 143050, Russia
| | - Dmitriy I. Fomenkov
- N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (I.A.Y.); (P.S.R.); (Y.Y.B.); (D.I.F.)
| | - Vasily N. Popov
- Department of Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, Voronezh 394018, Russia; (M.Y.S.); (V.N.P.)
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh 394036, Russia
| | - Alexander O. Terent’ev
- N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia; (I.A.Y.); (P.S.R.); (Y.Y.B.); (D.I.F.)
- All-Russian Research Institute for Phytopathology, B. Vyazyomy, Moscow Region 143050, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-916-385-4080
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dharampal PS, Diaz-Garcia L, Haase MAB, Zalapa J, Currie CR, Hittinger CT, Steffan SA. Microbial Diversity Associated with the Pollen Stores of Captive-Bred Bumble Bee Colonies. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11040250. [PMID: 32316296 PMCID: PMC7240610 DOI: 10.3390/insects11040250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The pollen stores of bumble bees host diverse microbiota that influence overall colony fitness. Yet, the taxonomic identity of these symbiotic microbes is relatively unknown. In this descriptive study, we characterized the microbial community of pollen provisions within captive-bred bumble bee hives obtained from two commercial suppliers located in North America. Findings from 16S rRNA and ITS gene-based analyses revealed that pollen provisions from the captive-bred hives shared several microbial taxa that have been previously detected among wild populations. While diverse microbes across phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Ascomycota were detected in all commercial hives, significant differences were detected at finer-scale taxonomic resolution based on the supplier source. The causative agent of chalkbrood disease in honey bees, Ascosphaera apis, was detected in all hives obtained from one supplier source, although none of the hives showed symptoms of infection. The shared core microbiota across both commercial supplier sources consisted of two ubiquitous bee-associated groups, Lactobacillus and Wickerhamiella/Starmerella clade yeasts that potentially contribute to the beneficial function of the microbiome of bumble bee pollen provisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prarthana S. Dharampal
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Luis Diaz-Garcia
- Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (L.D.-G.); (J.Z.)
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias, Aguascalientes 20676, Mexico
| | - Max A. B. Haase
- Laboratory of Genetics, Genome Center of Wisconsin, DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, J. F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (M.A.B.H.); (C.T.H.)
| | - Juan Zalapa
- Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (L.D.-G.); (J.Z.)
- USDA-ARS, Vegetable Crop Research Unit, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Cameron R. Currie
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Chris Todd Hittinger
- Laboratory of Genetics, Genome Center of Wisconsin, DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, J. F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (M.A.B.H.); (C.T.H.)
| | - Shawn A. Steffan
- Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
- USDA-ARS, Vegetable Crop Research Unit, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| |
Collapse
|