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...
HONEY BEE & POLLINATION
Treating European Foulbrood in Australian Honeybees
28 pages
Published: 24 Feb 2010
Author(s): Hornitzky, Michael
Share this content
-
Download report PDF
Download -
Purchase a hard copy - AUD $45.00
European foulbrood (EFB), caused by Melissococcus plutonius, is a major bacterial honeybee disease which results in significant economic losses to the beekeeping industry in Australia and worldwide. In Australia the impact of EFB on the bee farming industry resulted in the introduction of hive treatment with the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC). More information was needed on the concentrations of OTC required to protect honeybee larvae from EFB.
Fatty acids are important in the development, nutrition and reproduction of honeybees. Eight fatty acids have been demonstrated to have antibacterial activity against M. Plutonius isolates. As control agents, fatty acids would be safe and environmentally sound. A further aim of this project was to determine the dose required to reliably cause disease in larvae. This information would provide a better understanding of the ecology of M. Plutonius.
Related resources
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...
The buzz of the nation: The European honey bee and its remarkable impact on Australian agriculture
Small in size but extraordinarily influential, the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) has a remarkable impact on our food and livelihoods. About two-thirds of Australian...
Project snapshot: Value of honey bee pollination to the Australian economy
Since the mid-1980s, economists have made numerous attempts at estimating the value of honey bee pollination to the Australian economy. The exercise is not straightforward,...
Industry blueprint: Honey Bee & Pollination
This blueprint serves as a resource for those interested in the honey bee and pollination industry and provides essential fast facts alongside the fundamental themes...
Value of honey bee pollination to the Australian economy
Since the mid-1980s, economists have made numerous attempts at estimating the value of honey bee pollination to the Australian economy. The exercise is not straightforward,...