We here describe the results of the investigation of a honeybee hive that exhibited symptoms of poisoning in the July 2013. During the summer, only a few pesticides such as desiccants, typically quaternary ammonium (quat) and glyphosate formulations, are applied. We therefore analysed samples of not only a wide range of pesticides, but also desiccants. Additionally,…
We describe the identification by a metagenomics approach of Apis rhabdovirus, ARV-1, in A. mellifera, Bombus impatiens and in V. destructor mites from populations collected in the US and in Israel. By RT-PCR we found that ARV-1 can reach high titers of 107–108 viral genomic copies per individual in individual honey bees and mites . ARV-1…
Two new articles of our team: New article 1. Vejnovic Branislav, Stevanovic Jevrosima, Schwarz Ryan S, Aleksic Nevenka, Mirilovic Milorad, Jovanovic Nemanja M, Stanimirovic Zoran (2017) Quantitative PCR assessment of Lotmaria passim in Apis mellifera colonies co-infected naturally with Nosema ceranae. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2017.11.003. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022201117303245 New article 2. Glavinic Uros, Stankovic Biljana,…
Honeybee losses have been attributed to multiple stressors and factors including the neonicotinoid insecticides (NIs). Much of the study of hive contamination has been focused upon temperate regions such as Europe, Canada and the United States. This study looks for the first time at honey, pollen and bees collected from across the Nile Delta in…
In two recently published reports, hazards posed by dietary exposure to organophosphate and neonicotinoid plant protection products on the European honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in Egypt were investigated. Using concentrations reported in those studies, an assessment of hazards posed by these two classes of insecticides to humans due to consumption of Egyptian honey from…
The bee community has experienced a great loss with the recent death of Dr. Job van Praagh. Honorary Professor at the University of Leibniz in Hanover, Job dedicated his life to research into the biology and eco-toxicology of bees. Straightforward, sincere and honest, the discussions with Job were always intelligent, warm and stimulating. We’ll miss…
In this study we measured in vitro honey bee enzyme activities in presence of the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and some new benzodioxole and dihydrobenzofuran derivatives through absorbance and fluorescence spectrophotometric assays, to determine if and to what extent detoxification systems and acetylcholinesterases are affected by these compounds. Both Italian (Italy) and Carniolan (Czech Republic)…
Now because of environmental pollution, degraded forest, land fragmentation, urbanization, use of chemical pesticides, unseen bee stress, overfeeding to bees, contaminated bee products, dearth period malnutrition, massive adulteration, it has become impossible to keep bees for authentic, qualitative and medicinal honey without special apiary site development. Access to land resources, bee forage development, bee breed improvement,…
Abstract Natural honey bee products, especially propolis are well known for their biological properties. However, less well known are the impact of propolis’ single phenolic substances and variation across different landscapes, geographic locations and botanical origins. Here, we determined the chemical composition of propolis samples collected in different geographic areas of Romania with a continental…
Abstract The microsporidium Nosema neumanni n. sp., a new parasite of the honeybee Apis mellifera is described based on its ultra-structural and molecular characteristics. Structures resembling microsporidian spores were found by microscopic examination of honeybees from Uganda. Molecular confirmation failed when PCR primers specific for Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae were used, but was successful…