Does hive strength predispose honey bees to European foulbrood disease?
Date
2022
Authors
Brown, Vanessa
Thebeau, Jenna
Masood, Fatima
Jose, Midhun
Obshta, Oleksii
da Silva, Marina
Markova, Sofiia
Bevelander, Breanne
Simko, Olena
Lester, Tessa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Poster Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
European Foulbrood (EFB) is a bacterial disease of young honey bee larvae, caused
by Melissococcus plutonius infection of the larval midgut. It occurs in times of
nutritional stress when insufficient food is supplied to the larvae by the nursing bee
population. EFB increases larval mortality, thereby limiting the colony’s growth,
which can have consequences on the hive’s pollination services, honey production,
and ability to reproduce.
Recently, increased incidence of EFB has been observed across North America;
however, the underlaying factors predisposing colonies to EFB remain largely
unknown.
Description
Keywords
honeybees, European foulbrood disease, honey production, pollination