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Questions and Answers
Which group of chemicals is mentioned as less toxic in birds and mammals compared to neonicotinoids?
What is the primary reason bees are described as 'priceless' in the text?
Which chemicals will see a ban on outdoor use in the UK?
How many individuals can a honeybee colony comprise in summer?
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Where did bees evolve from according to the text?
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What does 'eusociality' refer to in the context of honeybees?
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'Solitary bees' are important for what reason according to the text?
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Which virus is known to have a positive association with Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV)?
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How is the transmission of CBPV primarily facilitated?
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What are the natural defenses of honeybees against pathogens?
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What is the sustainable control plan to monitor and avoid disease and pathogens using natural methods derived from bee and colony behavior called?
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How is Varroa, as a vector, primarily assessed?
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How is the vector 'comb' managed to reduce the spread of pathogens?
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Which behavior exhibited by bees needs to be managed to avoid the spread of pathogens?
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How is equipment managed to reduce its role as a vector for pathogens?
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What are the direct beekeeper treatments to control pathogens against bees?
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What is a characteristic symptom observed in developing bees affected by CBPV?
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What is the genetic makeup of a queen bee?
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How are drones produced?
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What do bee larvae feed on from days 4-6?
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How long does it take for worker bees to hatch?
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What is the temperature range of the brood nest?
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How are pathogens transmitted among bees?
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Which parasite feeds on haemolymph and can cause air duct obstruction in bees?
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Which insect pest is notifiable and can lead to the abandonment of hives if infestations are heavy?
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Which infection affects bees when they are unable to leave the hive during wet weather?
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Which infection affects brood by causing larvae to die of starvation, resulting in larva/fungus swelling, hardening, and shrinking?
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Which bacterium causes European Foulbrood in bees?
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Which virus tends to affect larvae and was the first virus fully sequenced in honeybees?
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Which virus is one of the most prevalent infections in Apis mellifera and is genetically similar to other viruses like the Varroa destructor virus?
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Which infection affects the gut epithelia of bees, leading to decreased gut function, dysentery, hypopharyngeal atrophy, and failing queen?
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Which bacterial infection has a foul smell and irregular 'pepperpot' or 'shotgun' brood pattern?
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Which viral infection does not show any symptoms in adult bees?
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Which infection enters the gut epithelia and causes larvae to die of starvation?
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Which bacterial infection results in capped brood cappings being sunken, punctured, dark, or greasy?
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Study Notes
- Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are crab-shaped parasites, with red-brown females and greenish-white males, that feed on both adult bees and brood, weakening the bees and increasing the spread of viruses.
- Two microfungal infections affect bees: Nosema (caused by Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae) and Chalkbrood (caused by Ascosphaera apis).
- Nosema is a microsporidian infection that affects bees when they are unable to leave the hive during wet weather. It persists in wax, honey, pollen, and wood for up to a year. Affects midgut and gut epithelia, leading to decreased gut function, dysentery, hypopharyngeal atrophy, and failing queen. Diagnosed through dissection, microscopy, or PCR/qPCR. No specific treatment.
- Chalkbrood is an opportunistic infection that occurs during moist, warm conditions. It also persists in wax, honey, pollen, and wood for up to a year. Affects brood by entering the gut epithelia and causing larvae to die of starvation, resulting in larva/fungus swelling, hardening, shrinking, and being removed. Spreads through "mummies" in cells, floor, or at the hive front. No treatment available, but good apiary hygiene, requeening, and shook swarming can help.
- Two microbial infections of bees are European Foulbrood (EFB) and American Foulbrood (AFB).
- EFB, caused by the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, has a foul smell and irregular "pepperpot" or "shotgun" brood pattern. It affects cappings, making them uncapped or sunken, punctured, dark, or greasy. Infected brood shows soft, creamy guts or a melted appearance. Ropiness test results are negative. Detected microscopically as cocci bacteria. Controlled through beekeeper hygiene, shook swarming, or moving hives with the queen.
- AFB, caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, also has a foul smell and irregular brood pattern. It affects cappings, making them sunken, punctured, dark, or greasy for capped brood and uncapped for non-capped brood. Infected brood shows a brown, viscous mush or hard scale. Ropiness test results are positive (>2cm). Detected microscopically as spores or bacteria. Controlled through beekeeper hygiene, selecting hygienic bees, or "torch and scorch" method. No antibiotics are effective due to the persistent nature of the spores.
- Sacbrood virus (SBV), a member of the Picornavirales order, tends to affect larvae and was the first virus fully sequenced in honeybees. It is widely distributed and causes overt disease in the hive, particularly in spring/summer. No symptoms in adults. Transmission occurs through nurse bees removing larvae killed by SBV. Drift can spread the virus to other hives. Detected in large quantities in Varroa-infested colonies but not transmitted through Varroa.
- Deformed wing virus (DWV) is one of the most prevalent infections in Apis mellifera and is genetically similar to other viruses like the Varroa destructor virus and the Kakugo virus complex although they produce different symptoms. Recombinant DWV-VDV-1 has been found in the UK, confirming the similarities between these viruses.
- Black queen cell virus (BQCV) is a virus that has been reported. Its impact and transmission mechanisms are not detailed in the provided text.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the treatment options for Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) and their impact on bee colonies. Learn about the external features and feeding habits of Varroa mites, as well as their role in spreading viruses within bee populations.
