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Ling TC, Phokasem P, Sinpoo C, Chantawannakul P, Khongphinitbunjong K, Disayathanoowat T. Tropilaelaps mercedesae Infestation Is Correlated with Injury Numbers on the Brood and the Population Size of Honey Bee Apis mellifera. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081318. [PMID: 37106881 PMCID: PMC10135255 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropilaelaps mercedesae, one of the most devastating parasitic mites of honey bee Apis mellifera hosts, is a major threat to honey products by causing severe damage to honey bee colonies. Here, we recorded injury numbers caused by T. mercedesae to different body parts of the larval, pupal, and crippled adult stages of honey bee A. mellifera. We evaluated the relationship between infestation rate and injury numbers per bee for both larvae and pupae. We also noted the total bee numbers per beehive and examined the relationship between the infestation rate and population size. T. mercedesae infested all developmental stages of honey bees, with the highest injury numbers in the abdomens of bee pupae and the antennas of crippled adult bees. Although larvae received more injury numbers than pupae, both infestation rate and injury numbers decreased as the larval stage progressed to the pupal stage. The infestation rate increased as the population size per beehive decreased. This study provided new perspectives to the understanding of changes in the effects of T. mercedesae infestations on different developmental stages of honey bees. It also showed useful baseline information for screening honey bee stock that might have high defensive behaviors against mite infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tial C Ling
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Patcharin Phokasem
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Chainarong Sinpoo
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | | | - Terd Disayathanoowat
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Tropilaelaps mercedesae parasitism changes behavior and gene expression in honey bee workers. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009684. [PMID: 34237116 PMCID: PMC8266070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropilaelaps mercedesae is one of the most problematic honey bee parasites and has become more threatening to the beekeeping industry. Tropilaelaps can easily parasitize immature honey bees (larvae and pupae) and have both lethal and sublethal effects on the individual worker bees. Our study for the first time experimentally assessed the effects of T. mercedesae on olfactory learning, flight ability, homing ability as well as transcriptional changes in parasitized adult honey bees. T. mercedesae infestation had negative impacts on olfactory associated function, flight ability, and homing rate. The volume of the mushroom body significantly increased in infested honey bees, which may be correlated to the lower sucrose responsiveness as well as lower learning ability in the infested bees. The gene expression involved in immune systems and carbohydrate transport and metabolism were significantly different between infested bees and non-infested bees. Moreover, genes function in cell adhesion play an essential role in olfactory sensory in honey bees. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of European honey bees in response to T. mercedesae infestation, and could be used to further investigate the complex molecular mechanisms in honey bees under parasitic stress. In recent decades, there has been serious concern about the decline of honey bees in the world. One of the most serious factors contributing to bee population declines is mite parasitism. Although Varroa destructor is the most widespread globally, Tropilaelaps mercedesae displays greater threat to bee colonies due to its smaller size, shorter phoretic phase, more rapid locomotion, as well as faster reproductive rate. Tropilaelaps mites, originally parasite of the giant Asian honey bees, now becoming an emerging threat of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Asian area. This work aimed to investigate the influence of T. mercedesae infestation on behavior and gene expression in A. mellifera. Our results highlight the T. mercedesae infestation induced negative effects of olfactory learning, flight ability, homing ability of honey bee workers. Moreover, we found that T. mercedesae infestation caused the up-regulation of genes involved in immune systems and carbohydrate mechanism which were correlated to the different olfactory learning performance in infested honeybee. In addition, genes function in cell adhesion play an essential role in olfactory sensory in honey bees. Our results increase the knowledge of proximate mechanisms in honey bee responding to parasitic stress.
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Ribani A, Utzeri VJ, Taurisano V, Fontanesi L. Honey as a Source of Environmental DNA for the Detection and Monitoring of Honey Bee Pathogens and Parasites. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7030113. [PMID: 32824137 PMCID: PMC7558659 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been proposed as a powerful tool to detect and monitor cryptic, elusive, or invasive organisms. We recently demonstrated that honey constitutes an easily accessible source of eDNA. In this study, we extracted DNA from 102 honey samples (74 from Italy and 28 from 17 other countries of all continents) and tested the presence of DNA of nine honey bee pathogens and parasites (Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, Ascosphaera apis,Lotmaria passim, Acarapis woodi, Varroa destructor, and Tropilaelaps spp.) using qualitative PCR assays. All honey samples contained DNA from V. destructor, confirming the widespread diffusion of this mite. None of the samples gave positive amplifications for N. apis, A. woodi, and Tropilaelaps spp. M. plutonius was detected in 87% of the samples, whereas the other pathogens were detected in 43% to 57% of all samples. The frequency of Italian samples positive for P. larvae was significantly lower (49%) than in all other countries (79%). The co-occurrence of positive samples for L. passim and A. apis with N. ceranae was significant. This study demonstrated that honey eDNA can be useful to establish monitoring tools to evaluate the sanitary status of honey bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisa Ribani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
- GRIFFA s.r.l., Viale Giuseppe Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Joe Utzeri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
- GRIFFA s.r.l., Viale Giuseppe Fanin 48, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Taurisano
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
| | - Luca Fontanesi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (A.R.); (V.J.U.); (V.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2096535
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Roberts JMK, Schouten CN, Sengere RW, Jave J, Lloyd D. Effectiveness of control strategies for Varroa jacobsoni and Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Papua New Guinea. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:399-407. [PMID: 32072354 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00473-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Apiculture in the Pacific island country of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is under significant pressure from emerging parasitic mites, Varroa jacobsoni and Tropilaelaps mercedesae. Although numerous mite control products exist, beekeepers in PNG have limited resources and access to these products and their effectiveness under local conditions is untested. Here we determined the effectiveness of two brood manipulation strategies-queen caging and queen removal-for managing V. jacobsoni and T. mercedesae in comparison to the chemical miticide Bayvarol®. Our results found Bayvarol was the most effective control strategy for V. jacobsoni, maintaining high efficacy (> 90%) over 4 months with significantly reduced levels of V. jacobsoni compared to untreated control hives. In contrast, T. mercedesae were significantly reduced by the brood manipulation strategies over 2 months, but not significantly by Bayvarol compared to the controls. These results highlight that a combination of strategies is likely needed to effectively manage both mite pests in PNG. We discuss how these findings are relevant to informing best practice for honey bee biosecurity and how these strategies can be implemented to improve the effectiveness of mite management for PNG beekeepers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M K Roberts
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, 2601, ACT, Australia.
| | - Cooper N Schouten
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
| | - Reuben W Sengere
- Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd, Aiyura, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - John Jave
- National Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - David Lloyd
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
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Feeding by Tropilaelaps mercedesae on pre- and post-capped brood increases damage to Apis mellifera colonies. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13044. [PMID: 31506594 PMCID: PMC6737106 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49662-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropilaelaps mercedesae parasitism can cause Apis mellifera colony mortality in Asia. Here, we report for the first time that tropilaelaps mites feed on both pre- and post-capped stages of honey bees. Feeding on pre-capped brood may extend their survival outside capped brood cells, especially in areas where brood production is year-round. In this study, we examined the types of injury inflicted by tropilaelaps mites on different stages of honey bees, the survival of adult honey bees, and level of honey bee viruses in 4th instar larvae and prepupae. The injuries inflicted on different developing honey bee stages were visualised by staining with trypan blue. Among pre-capped stages, 4th instar larvae sustained the highest number of wounds (4.6 ± 0.5/larva) while 2nd-3rd larval instars had at least two wounds. Consequently, wounds were evident on uninfested capped brood (5th-6th instar larvae = 3.91 ± 0.64 wounds; prepupae = 5.25 ± 0.73 wounds). Tropilaelaps mite infestations resulted in 3.4- and 6-fold increases in the number of wounds in 5th-6th instar larvae and prepupae as compared to uninfested capped brood, respectively. When wound-inflicted prepupae metamorphosed to white-eyed pupae, all wound scars disappeared with the exuviae. This healing of wounds contributed to the reduction of the number of wounds (≤10) observed on the different pupal stages. Transmission of mite-borne virus such as Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) was also enhanced by mites feeding on early larval stages. DWV and Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV) were detected in all 4th instar larvae and prepupae analysed. However, viral levels were more pronounced in scarred 4th instar larvae and infested prepupae. The remarkably high numbers of wounds and viral load on scarred or infested developing honey bees may have caused significant weight loss and extensive injuries observed on the abdomen, wings, legs, proboscis and antennae of adult honey bees. Together, the survival of infested honey bees was significantly compromised. This study demonstrates the ability of tropilaelaps mites to inflict profound damage on A. mellifera hosts. Effective management approaches need to be developed to mitigate tropilaelaps mite problems.
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Chantawannakul P, Ramsey S, vanEngelsdorp D, Khongphinitbunjong K, Phokasem P. Tropilaelaps mite: an emerging threat to European honey bee. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 26:69-75. [PMID: 29764663 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The risk of transmission of honey bee parasites has increased substantially as a result of trade globalization and technical developments in transportation efficacy. Great concern over honey bee decline has accelerated research on newly emerging bee pests and parasites. These organisms are likely to emerge from Asia as it is the only region where all 10 honey bee species co-occur. Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite, is a classic example of a pest that has shifted from A. cerana, a cavity nesting Asian honey bee to A. mellifera, the European honey bee. In this review, we will describe the potential risks to global apiculture of the global expansion of Tropilaelaps mercedesae, originally a parasite of the open-air nesting Asian giant honey bee, compared to the impact of V. destructor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Thailand; International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
| | - Samuel Ramsey
- International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Entomology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Dennis vanEngelsdorp
- International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Entomology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | | | - Patcharin Phokasem
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Thailand; Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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de Guzman LI, Williams GR, Khongphinitbunjong K, Chantawannakul P. Ecology, Life History, and Management of Tropilaelaps Mites. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:319-332. [PMID: 28334185 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic mites are the major threat to the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. For much of the world, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman single-handedly inflicts unsurmountable problems to A. mellifera beekeeping. However, A. mellifera in Asia is also faced with another genus of destructive parasitic mite, Tropilaelaps. The life history of these two parasitic mites is very similar, and both have the same food requirements (i.e., hemolymph of developing brood). Hence, parasitism by Tropilaelaps spp., especially Tropilaelaps mercedesae and Tropilaelaps clareae, also results in death of immature brood or wing deformities in infested adult bees. The possible introduction of Tropilaelaps mites outside their current range heightens existing dilemmas brought by Varroa mites. In this review, we provide historic, as well as current information on the taxonomic status, life history, distribution and host range, diagnosis, and control of Tropilaelaps mites. Because the biology of Tropilaelaps mites is not well known, we also suggest areas of research that demand immediate attention. Any biological information about Tropilaelaps mites will provide useful information for the development of control measures against them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia I de Guzman
- USDA-ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70820
| | - Geoffrey R Williams
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland ( )
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
| | | | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University 50200, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Khongphinitbunjong K, Neumann P, Chantawannakul P, Williams GR. The ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae reduces western honey bee, Apismellifera, longevity and emergence weight, and promotes Deformed wing virus infections. J Invertebr Pathol 2016; 137:38-42. [PMID: 27126517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Historically an ectoparasite of the native Giant honey bee Apis dorsata, the mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae has switched hosts to the introduced western honey bee Apis mellifera throughout much of Asia. Few data regarding lethal and sub-lethal effects of T. mercedesae on A. mellifera exist, despite its similarity to the devastating mite Varroa destructor. Here we artificially infested worker brood of A. mellifera with T. mercedesae to investigate lethal (longevity) and sub-lethal (emergence weight, Deformed wing virus (DWV) levels and clinical symptoms of DWV) effects of the mite on its new host. The data show that T. mercedesae infestation significantly reduced host longevity and emergence weight, and promoted both DWV levels and associated clinical symptoms. Our results suggest that T. mercedesae is a potentially important parasite to the economically important A. mellifera honey bee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
| | - Peter Neumann
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
| | - Geoffrey R Williams
- Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
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Lee K, Steinhauer N, Travis DA, Meixner MD, Deen J, vanEngelsdorp D. Honey bee surveillance: a tool for understanding and improving honey bee health. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 10:37-44. [PMID: 29588012 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2015.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Honey bee surveillance systems are increasingly used to characterize honey bee health and disease burdens of bees in different regions and/or over time. In addition to quantifying disease prevalence, surveillance systems can identify risk factors associated with colony morbidity and mortality. Surveillance systems are often observational, and prove particularly useful when searching for risk factors in real world complex systems. We review recent examples of surveillance systems with particular emphasis on how these efforts have helped increase our understanding of honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Lee
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Nathalie Steinhauer
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Dominic A Travis
- Ecosystem Health Division, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Marina D Meixner
- LLH Bee Institute Kirchhain, Erlenstr. 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - John Deen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA
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