Determining the impact of Varroa on virus transmission in Australian bees
This research aimed to contribute to ongoing surveillance of the Australian honey bee virus landscape as varroa establishes and spreads.
HONEY BEE & POLLINATION
Nosema Disease in Honeybees-genetic variation and control
45 pages
Published: 1 May 2001
Author(s): Ph.D., Robert N. Rice
Share this content
-
Download report PDF
Download -
Purchase a hard copy - AUD $45.00
The first objective of this report was to locate and then determine the base composition of structural DNA sequences specific to the adult honeybee parasite Nosema apis. N. apis, the causative agent of nosema disease in honeybees. This disease is considered the most economically important disease of adult honeybees in Australia and the world (Bailey and Ball, 1991; Matheson, 1993a).
The second objective was to use the DNA sequence data to (a) determine the taxonomic relatedness of N. apis to other microsporidia, (b) assess genetic variation between Australian isolates of N. apis, and (c) determine whether detection of virulent and avirulent isolates of N. apis is possible.
An additional objective was included to examine the potential of a novel control method for nosema disease and a model system was designed to test the effectiveness of thymol as a novel control agent for nosema disease.
Related resources
Project snapshot: Optimisation and Evaluation of an External Trap as a Mass Trapping and Monitoring Device for Small Hive Beetles
The small hive beetle (SHB) (Aethina tumida) poses a serious threat to the Australian honeybee industry, which is valued at $4.6 billion annually for its...
Project snapshot: Development of alternative Varroa treatment delivery platform
This research investigates the potential use of organic waste as an alternative and sustainable approach to managing Varroa destructor. Current Varroa treatments rely heavily on...
Fires, Flowers and Bees: How Prescribed Burns Affect The Honeybee and Pollination Industry
The Australian honey bee industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy through the production of hive products, such as honey and beeswax and...
National Honey Bee Breeding Strategy 2024-2029
In all livestock industries, genetic selection has been used to increase animal productivity and, by extension, enterprise profitability. The Australian honey bee industry is no...
Varroa destructor Research Strategy 2024-2027
Following the arrival of varroa at the Port of Newcastle, AgriFutures Australia commissioned research on how the industry should prepare for the possible establishment of...
Fact sheet: Identifying new revenue opportunities for the honey bee industry
The primary objective of the Identifying revenue opportunities for AgriFutures Australia’s rural industries project was to identify potential new and alternate revenue sources within 28...
Clover4Bees: Pilot study
The Clover4Bees pilot study represents a significant step forward in understanding the potential of pasture legumes to benefit the Australian honey bee industry. The project...