The incidence of pathogens in honey bee (Apis mellifera L) colonies in Finland and Great Britain

Abstract

Dead adult bees collected from 26 apiaries distributed throughout S Finland were examined for protozoan, microsporidian and viral pathogens. Malpighamoeba mellificae was not found, but Nosema apis was detected at low levels in 11 of 39 samples. Of the 51 samples examined for viruses, bee virus Y was detected in two, cloudy wing virus in 14 and filamentous virus in 13. Findings are compared with pathogen incidence in honey bee colonies in Britain and discussed with reference to winter losses and Varroa jacobsoni infestation. -Authors