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Negative evidence for effects of genetic origin of bees on Nosema ceranae, positive evidence for effects of Nosema ceranae on bees

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Abstract

In two tests, honey bee colonies of different origins were sampled monthly to detect possible differential infection with Nosema ceranae; colony sizes and queen status were monitored quarterly. One experiment used queens crossed with drones of the same type obtained from colonies which had previously exhibited high and low infections. A second experiment used queens from ten commercial sources. No clear genotypic (P = 0.682) or phenotypic (P = 0.623) differences in infection were evident. Colony deaths and supersedures did not relate significantly with infection except for deaths of colonies in the autumn (P = 0.02). Significant effects on colony growth were found in all seasons: average 3-month decreases in population ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 frames of bees per million N. ceranae per bee. These results confirm that N. ceranae can be involved in weakening of colonies even in warm climates and suggest that breeding for resistance may require more intense selection, larger base populations, or different screening methods.

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Acknowledgments

Lorraine Beaman, Garrett Dodds, David Dodge, Victor Rainey, and Daniel Winfrey assisted with field or laboratory work. Garrett Dodds conducted instrumental inseminations. Debbie Boykin (USDA, ARS) provided statistical advice, and Frank Eischen (USDA, ARS) and Eric Mussen (U. California) provided useful comments on versions of the manuscript. Evergeen Honey Company (Bunkie, LA) provided field colonies and equipment. Partial funding for this project was provided by the Honey Bee Health Improvement Project of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA

    José D. Villa, A. Lelania Bourgeois & Robert G. Danka

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  1. José D. Villa
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  2. A. Lelania Bourgeois
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  3. Robert G. Danka
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Correspondence to José D. Villa.

Additional information

Manuscript editor: David Tarpy

Preuve négative des effets de l’origine génétique des abeilles sur Nosema ceranae , preuve positive des effets de Nosema ceranae sur les abeilles

Apis mellifera / résistance / nosémose / élevage / sélection

Negative Belege für Effekte der genetischen Abstammung der Bienen auf Nosema ceranae , positive Belege für Effekte von Nosema ceranae auf Bienen

Nosema ceranae / Apis mellifera / Honigbienen / Resistenz / Züchtung / Selektion

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Villa, J.D., Bourgeois, A.L. & Danka, R.G. Negative evidence for effects of genetic origin of bees on Nosema ceranae, positive evidence for effects of Nosema ceranae on bees. Apidologie 44, 511–518 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0201-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0201-1

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