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Monitoring Colony-level Effects of Sublethal Pesticide Exposure on Honey Bees
Published on: November 15, 2017
Predictive markers of honey bee colony collapse
Benjamin Dainat1, Jay D Evans, Yan Ping Chen
1Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP, Bern, Switzerland. benjamin.dainat@alp.admin.ch
Plos One
|March 3, 2012
Summary
Honey bee colonies face winter losses due to parasites and pathogens. Varroa destructor, Nosema ceranae, and DWV are key predictive markers for colony collapse, with Varroa destructor being a major factor.
Area of Science:
- Apiculture
- Insect Pathology
- Animal Ecology
Background:
- Managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations in the Northern Hemisphere experience significant winter losses.
- Multiple factors, including parasites and pathogens, are implicated in colony depopulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictive markers for honey bee colony losses during winter.
- To assess the seasonal influence on the predictive power of these markers.
Main Methods:
- Long-term monitoring of honey bee colonies.
- Screening for eleven disease agents and genes related to bee immunity and physiology.
Main Results:
- Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Nosema ceranae, Varroa destructor, and Vitellogenin were identified as potential predictive markers for winter colony losses.
- The predictive power of these markers varied significantly with the season.
- Varroa destructor infestation was strongly correlated with colony losses, highlighting its role in bee health decline.
Conclusions:
- Varroa destructor is a critical factor contributing to honey bee colony losses during winter.
- Seasonal monitoring of specific pathogens and physiological markers can aid in predicting and potentially mitigating colony losses.
