LE3 .A278 2012

2012

Shutler, Dave
Adamo, Shelley

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

Honey bee colony health is affected by parasites and chemotherapies beekeepers used to control parasites. I tested for relationships among parasitic mites (Varroa destructor), parasitic microsporidian fungi (Nosema species), and associated chemotherapies on protein concentrations in the haemolymph of forager honey bees and the ability of these insects to inhibit microbial growth. The presence of either parasite predisposed a honey bee colony to more intense infections from the other parasite. Although beekeepers’ fears of miticide resistance were well-founded, combining miticide and and the anti-fungal agent fumagillin was more effective at controlling parasite intensities than using either chemotherapy alone. Varroa infestations did not alter haemolymph protein concentrations. In contrast to normal seasonal protein fluctuations, Nosema infections were associated with higher protein concentrations in summer and with lower protein concentrations in fall. Lower haemolymph protein concentrations associated with fumagillin were offset by higher concentrations associated with miticides. Varroa infestation and fumagillin both decreased experimental inhibition of bacterial growth, whereas miticide increased inhibition.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:231