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Zabrodski MW, DeBruyne JE, Wilson G, Moshynskyy I, Sharafi M, Wood SC, Kozii IV, Thebeau J, Klein CD, Medici de Mattos I, Sobchishin L, Epp T, Ruzzini AC, Simko E. Comparison of individual hive and apiary-level sample types for spores of Paenibacillus larvae in Saskatchewan honey bee operations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263602. [PMID: 35130328 PMCID: PMC8820611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Three commercial honey bee operations in Saskatchewan, Canada, with outbreaks of American foulbrood (AFB) and recent or ongoing metaphylactic antibiotic use were intensively sampled to detect spores of Paenibacillus larvae during the summer of 2019. Here, we compared spore concentrations in different sample types within individual hives, assessed the surrogacy potential of honey collected from honey supers in place of brood chamber honey or adult bees within hives, and evaluated the ability of pooled, extracted honey to predict the degree of spore contamination identified through individual hive testing. Samples of honey and bees from hives within apiaries with a recent, confirmed case of AFB in a single hive (index apiaries) and apiaries without clinical evidence of AFB (unaffected apiaries), as well as pooled, apiary-level honey samples from end-of-season extraction, were collected and cultured to detect and enumerate spores. Only a few hives were heavily contaminated by spores in any given apiary. All operations were different from one another with regard to both the overall degree of spore contamination across apiaries and the distribution of spores between index apiaries and unaffected apiaries. Within operations, individual hive spore concentrations in unaffected apiaries were significantly different from index apiaries in the brood chamber (BC) honey, honey super (HS) honey, and BC bees of one of three operations. Across all operations, BC honey was best for discriminating index apiaries from unaffected apiaries (p = 0.001), followed by HS honey (p = 0.06), and BC bees (p = 0.398). HS honey positively correlated with both BC honey (rs = 0.76, p < 0.0001) and bees (rs = 0.50, p < 0.0001) and may be useful as a surrogate for either. Spore concentrations in pooled, extracted honey seem to have predictive potential for overall spore contamination within each operation and may have prognostic value in assessing the risk of future AFB outbreaks at the apiary (or operation) level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Zabrodski
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- * E-mail: (MWZ); (ES)
| | - Jessica E. DeBruyne
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Geoff Wilson
- Crops and Irrigation Branch, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Igor Moshynskyy
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Mohsen Sharafi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sarah C. Wood
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Ivanna V. Kozii
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jenna Thebeau
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Colby D. Klein
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Igor Medici de Mattos
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - LaRhonda Sobchishin
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Tasha Epp
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Antonio C. Ruzzini
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Elemir Simko
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- * E-mail: (MWZ); (ES)
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Leska A, Nowak A, Nowak I, Górczyńska A. Effects of Insecticides and Microbiological Contaminants on Apis mellifera Health. Molecules 2021; 26:5080. [PMID: 34443668 PMCID: PMC8398688 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26165080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, there has been an alarming decline in the number of honey bee colonies. This phenomenon is called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Bee products play a significant role in human life and have a huge impact on agriculture, therefore bees are an economically important species. Honey has found its healing application in various sectors of human life, as well as other bee products such as royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen. There are many putative factors of CCD, such as air pollution, GMO, viruses, or predators (such as wasps and hornets). It is, however, believed that pesticides and microorganisms play a huge role in the mass extinction of bee colonies. Insecticides are chemicals that are dangerous to both humans and the environment. They can cause enormous damage to bees' nervous system and permanently weaken their immune system, making them vulnerable to other factors. Some of the insecticides that negatively affect bees are, for example, neonicotinoids, coumaphos, and chlorpyrifos. Microorganisms can cause various diseases in bees, weakening the health of the colony and often resulting in its extinction. Infection with microorganisms may result in the need to dispose of the entire hive to prevent the spread of pathogens to other hives. Many aspects of the impact of pesticides and microorganisms on bees are still unclear. The need to deepen knowledge in this matter is crucial, bearing in mind how important these animals are for human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Leska
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Adriana Nowak
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Nowak
- Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 8/12, 90-232 Lodz, Poland; (I.N.); (A.G.)
| | - Anna Górczyńska
- Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 8/12, 90-232 Lodz, Poland; (I.N.); (A.G.)
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Flores JM, Gámiz V, Jiménez-Marín Á, Flores-Cortés A, Gil-Lebrero S, Garrido JJ, Hernando MD. Impact of Varroa destructor and associated pathologies on the colony collapse disorder affecting honey bees. Res Vet Sci 2021; 135:85-95. [PMID: 33454582 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Varroa mite is the major threat to the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, and the cause of significant economic losses in the apiculture industry. Varroa destructor feeds on brood and adult bees being responsible for vectoring virus infections and other diseases. This study analyses the role of Varroa and other associated pathogens, such as viruses or the fungus Nosema ceranae, and their relationships regarding the viability of the bee colony. It has been carried out during one beekeeping season, with the subspecies A. m. iberiensis, commonly used in the apiculture industry of Spain. Our study shows a significant relationship between the presence of Varroa destructor and viral infection by deformed wing virus and acute bee paralysis virus. Nosema ceranae behaved as an opportunistic pathogen. In addition, this study explored a potential naturally occurring subset of peptides, responsible for the humoral immunity of the bees. The expression of the antimicrobial peptides abaecin and melittin showed a significant relationship with the levels of Varroa mite and the deformed wing virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Flores
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Victoria Gámiz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ángeles Jiménez-Marín
- Department of Genetic, Faculty of Veterinary, Grupo de Genómica y Mejora Animal, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alicia Flores-Cortés
- Department of Genetic, Faculty of Veterinary, Grupo de Genómica y Mejora Animal, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sergio Gil-Lebrero
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan J Garrido
- Department of Genetic, Faculty of Veterinary, Grupo de Genómica y Mejora Animal, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - María Dolores Hernando
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Steinhauer N, Kulhanek K, Antúnez K, Human H, Chantawannakul P, Chauzat MP, vanEngelsdorp D. Drivers of colony losses. Curr Opin Insect Sci 2018; 26:142-148. [PMID: 29764654 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, in some regions of the world, honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies have experienced rates of colony loss that are difficult for beekeepers to sustain. The reasons for losses are complex and interacting, with major drivers including Varroaand related viruses, pesticides, nutrition and beekeeper practices. In these endeavors it has also become apparent that defining a dead colony, and singling out the effects of specific drivers of loss, is not so straightforward. Using the class of neonicotinoid pesticides as an example we explain why quantifying risk factor impact at the colony level is at times elusive and in some cases unpractical. In this review, we discuss the caveats of defining and quantifying dead colonies. We also summarize the current leading drivers of colony losses, their interactions and the most recent research on their effects on colony mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Steinhauer
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Kelly Kulhanek
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Karina Antúnez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones, Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Hannelie Human
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Thailand; Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Thailand
| | - Marie-Pierre Chauzat
- Unit of Honey Bee Pathology, ANSES, European Union and National Reference Laboratory for Honey Bee Health, Sophia Antipolis, France
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Schmidt TL, Barton NH, Rašić G, Turley AP, Montgomery BL, Iturbe-Ormaetxe I, Cook PE, Ryan PA, Ritchie SA, Hoffmann AA, O’Neill SL, Turelli M. Local introduction and heterogeneous spatial spread of dengue-suppressing Wolbachia through an urban population of Aedes aegypti. PLoS Biol 2017; 15:e2001894. [PMID: 28557993 PMCID: PMC5448718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2001894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue-suppressing Wolbachia strains are promising tools for arbovirus control, particularly as they have the potential to self-spread following local introductions. To test this, we followed the frequency of the transinfected Wolbachia strain wMel through Ae. aegypti in Cairns, Australia, following releases at 3 nonisolated locations within the city in early 2013. Spatial spread was analysed graphically using interpolation and by fitting a statistical model describing the position and width of the wave. For the larger 2 of the 3 releases (covering 0.97 km2 and 0.52 km2), we observed slow but steady spatial spread, at about 100–200 m per year, roughly consistent with theoretical predictions. In contrast, the smallest release (0.11 km2) produced erratic temporal and spatial dynamics, with little evidence of spread after 2 years. This is consistent with the prediction concerning fitness-decreasing Wolbachia transinfections that a minimum release area is needed to achieve stable local establishment and spread in continuous habitats. Our graphical and likelihood analyses produced broadly consistent estimates of wave speed and wave width. Spread at all sites was spatially heterogeneous, suggesting that environmental heterogeneity will affect large-scale Wolbachia transformations of urban mosquito populations. The persistence and spread of Wolbachia in release areas meeting minimum area requirements indicates the promise of successful large-scale population transformation. Wolbachia are bacteria that live inside insect cells. In insects that act as viral vectors, Wolbachia can suppress virus transmission to new hosts. Wolbachia have been experimentally introduced into Aedes aegypti mosquito populations to reduce the transmission of dengue, Zika, and other arboviruses that cause human disease. Wolbachia invade populations by causing cytoplasmic incompatibility, a phenomenon whereby embryos from crosses between infected males and uninfected females fail to hatch. While Wolbachia have been shown to successfully invade and remain established in isolated Ae. aegypti populations, outward spread from urban release zones has not been previously documented. This is an important step in demonstrating that Wolbachia can be used to combat mosquito-borne infectious disease in cities. Here we describe Wolbachia spread from 2 introduction areas within Cairns in northeastern Australia at a rate of about 100–200 meters per year. Spread occurs only when introduction areas are sufficiently large. The slow rates of observed spread are broadly consistent with mathematical predictions based on estimated Ae. aegypti dispersal distances, Wolbachia dynamics, and effects seen in isolated populations. Spread is uneven and likely depends on local characteristics (e.g., barriers) that affect mosquito density and dispersal. Our data indicate that Wolbachia can be introduced locally in large cities, remain established where released, and slowly spread from release areas. These dynamics indicate that high Wolbachia infection frequencies can be established gradually across large urban areas through local releases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom L. Schmidt
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Gordana Rašić
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew P. Turley
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian L. Montgomery
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Peter E. Cook
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter A. Ryan
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Scott A. Ritchie
- School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ary A. Hoffmann
- School of BioSciences, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Scott L. O’Neill
- Institute of Vector-Borne Disease, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Turelli
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Budge GE, Pietravalle S, Brown M, Laurenson L, Jones B, Tomkies V, Delaplane KS. Pathogens as Predictors of Honey Bee Colony Strength in England and Wales. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133228. [PMID: 26186735 PMCID: PMC4506140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inspectors with the UK National Bee Unit were asked for 2007-2008 to target problem apiaries in England and Wales for pathogen screening and colony strength measures. Healthy colonies were included in the sampling to provide a continuum of health conditions. A total of 406 adult bee samples was screened and yielded 7 viral, 1 bacterial, and 2 microsporidial pathogens and 1 ectoparasite (Acarapis woodi). In addition, 108 samples of brood were screened and yielded 4 honey bee viruses. Virus prevalence varied from common (deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus) to complete absence (Israeli acute paralysis virus). When colonies were forced into one of two classes, strong or weak, the weak colonies contained more pathogens in adult bees. Among observed pathogens, only deformed wing virus was able to predict colony strength. The effect was negative such that colonies testing positive for deformed wing virus were likely to have fewer combs of bees or brood. This study constitutes the first record for Nosema ceranae in Great Britain. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence linking pathogens to poor honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles E. Budge
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO411LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Stéphane Pietravalle
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO411LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Brown
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO411LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Laurenson
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO411LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Jones
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO411LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Tomkies
- The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO411LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Keith S. Delaplane
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Smith KM, Loh EH, Rostal MK, Zambrana-Torrelio CM, Mendiola L, Daszak P. Pathogens, pests, and economics: drivers of honey bee colony declines and losses. Ecohealth 2013; 10:434-45. [PMID: 24496582 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-013-0870-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is responsible for ecosystem services (pollination) worth US$215 billion annually worldwide and the number of managed colonies has increased 45% since 1961. However, in Europe and the U.S., two distinct phenomena; long-term declines in colony numbers and increasing annual colony losses, have led to significant interest in their causes and environmental implications. The most important drivers of a long-term decline in colony numbers appear to be socioeconomic and political pressure on honey production. In contrast, annual colony losses seem to be driven mainly by the spread of introduced pathogens and pests, and management problems due to a long-term intensification of production and the transition from large numbers of small apiaries to fewer, larger operations. We conclude that, while other causal hypotheses have received substantial interest, the role of pests, pathogens, and management issues requires increased attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine M Smith
- EcoHealth Alliance, 460 West 34th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 10001, USA
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Bacandritsos N, Granato A, Budge G, Papanastasiou I, Roinioti E, Caldon M, Falcaro C, Gallina A, Mutinelli F. Sudden deaths and colony population decline in Greek honey bee colonies. J Invertebr Pathol 2010; 105:335-40. [PMID: 20804765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2010.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Revised: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 08/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During June and July of 2009, sudden deaths, tremulous movements and population declines of adult honey bees were reported by the beekeepers in the region of Peloponnesus (Mt. Mainalo), Greece. A preliminary study was carried out to investigate these unexplained phenomena in this region. In total, 37 bee samples, two brood frames containing honey bee brood of various ages, eight sugar samples and four sugar patties were collected from the affected colonies. The samples were tested for a range of pests, pathogens and pesticides. Symptomatic adult honey bees tested positive for Varroa destructor, Nosema ceranae, Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), Acute paralysis virus (ABPV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Sacbrood virus (SBV) and Black queen cell virus (BQCV), but negative for Acarapis woodi. American Foulbrood was absent from the brood samples. Chemical analysis revealed that amitraz, thiametoxan, clothianidin and acetamiprid were all absent from symptomatic adult bees, sugar and sugar patty samples. However, some bee samples, were contaminated with imidacloprid in concentrations between 14 ng/g and 39 ng/g tissue. We present: the infection of Greek honey bees by multiple viruses; the presence of N. ceranae in Greek honey bees and the first record of imidacloprid (neonicotonoid) residues in Greek honey bee tissues. The presence of multiple pathogens and pesticides made it difficult to associate a single specific cause to the depopulation phenomena observed in Greece, although we believe that viruses and N. ceranae synergistically played the most important role. A follow-up in-depth survey across all Greek regions is required to provide context to these preliminary findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bacandritsos
- Institute of Veterinary Research of Athens, National Agricultural Research Foundation, 25 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, Greece.
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