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Hygienic food to reduce pathogen risk to bumblebees
P Graystock1, J C Jones2, T Pamminger2
1School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92507, USA.
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
|March 13, 2016
Summary
Gamma irradiation of honey bee pollen reduces but does not eliminate parasites in bumblebee colonies. Further optimization or pollen substitutes are needed to fully prevent disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Pollination Biology
- Insect Pathology
- Pest Management
Background:
- Bumblebees are vital pollinators for agriculture, leading to global trade in commercial colonies.
- Commercial bumblebee colonies can transmit parasites to wild bees, impacting ecosystem health.
- Honey bee pollen used for rearing bumblebees often harbors microbial parasites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of gamma irradiation and ozone treatment on parasite viability in honey bee pollen.
- To assess alternative methods for reducing parasite transmission in commercial bumblebee rearing.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of parasite presence and viability in untreated honey bee pollen.
- Treatment of pollen with gamma irradiation and ozone.
- Comparison with an artificial pollen substitute.
Main Results:
- Untreated pollen contained numerous viable parasites.
- Gamma irradiation reduced parasite viability but did not eliminate them.
- Ozone treatment was less effective than gamma irradiation; pollen substitute was parasite-free.
Conclusions:
- Pollen irradiation is a beneficial strategy to mitigate parasite incidence in commercial bumblebee production.
- Further refinement of irradiation or use of artificial pollen substitutes is necessary for complete parasite elimination.
