Evaluating the Efficacy of Common Treatments Used for Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. Control
Source abstract
Abstract
Vairimorpha (formerly Nosema) apis and V. ceranae are microsporidian pathogens that are of concern for managed honey bee colonies. Multiple treatments have been proposed to be effective in reducing the prevalence and intensity of Vairimorpha spp. infections. Here, we test the efficacy of these products in one lab-based experiment and three field experiments. In the lab experiment, we found no reductions in Vairimorpha spp. prevalence (proportion of individuals infected with Vairimorpha spp.) or intensity (number of Vairimorpha spp. spores per individual), but we did find a decrease in honey bee survival after treatment with Fumagilin-B, Honey-B-Healthy®, and Nozevit Plus. The first field experiment showed increased Vairimorpha spp. intensity in colonies treated with Fumagilin-B and HiveAlive® compared to a negative control (sucrose syrup alone). The second field experiment showed a weak reduction in Vairimorpha spp. intensity after 3 weeks post treatment with Fumagilin-B compared to Nozevit. However, Vairimorpha spp. intensity returned to levels comparable to those of other treatment groups after 5 weeks post treatment and remained similar to those of other groups for the duration of the experiment. The final field trial showed no positive or negative effects of treatment with Fumagilin-B or Nosevit on Vairimorpha spp. prevalence or intensity. These findings raise questions regarding the efficacy of the products currently being used by beekeepers to control Vairimorpha spp. We argue that the observed reduction of Vairimorpha spp. is more likely relevant to the phenology of spore prevalence and intensity in honey bee colonies than to chemical treatment.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Insect and Pesticide Research · Plant and animal studies · Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Funding
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Multistate Project · Florida State Beekeepers Association · Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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