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A Systematic Review of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera, Linnaeus, 1758) Infections and Available Treatment Options

Summary

This research examines the major diseases affecting honey bees worldwide and evaluates various treatment options to maintain bee colony health. The study is particularly important because honey bees are crucial pollinators for both wild plants and agricultural crops, making them essential for global food production and ecosystem health. Impacts on everyday life: • Helps protect food security by identifying ways to keep honey bee populations healthy for crop pollination • Provides beekeepers with better information about disease management options • Supports sustainable agriculture through improved understanding of bee health • Contributes to environmental conservation by helping maintain pollinator populations • Influences food prices by helping maintain healthy bee populations for crop pollination

Background

Honey bees and honeycomb bees are very valuable for wild flowering plants and economically important crops due to their role as pollinators. However, these insects confront many disease threats including viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi, as well as large pesticide concentrations in the environment. Varroa destructor is the most prevalent disease that has had the most negative effects on the fitness and survival of different honey bees. As social insects, this ectoparasite can be easily transmitted within and across bee colonies.

Objective

This review aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the diversity and distribution of important bee infections and possible management and treatment options, so that honey bee colony health can be maintained. The study seeks to analyze current therapeutic approaches and identify potential alternative treatments.

Results

The data revealed that Varroa destructor and Nosema spp. were the major pathogens affecting honey bees worldwide. These infections can result in forager bees being unable to fly, experiencing disorientation, paralysis, and death of many colony individuals. Both hygienic and chemical pest management strategies were found necessary to prevent and reduce parasite loads and pathogen transmission. Effective miticides (fluvalinate-tau, coumaphos and amitraz) were identified as essential practices for minimizing Varroa mites and other pathogen impacts. The review also identified emerging alternative biofriendly control methods that could be critical for maintaining honey bee hive health and improving honey productivity.

Conclusion

The study suggests implementing critical health control methods globally and establishing an international monitoring system to determine honey bee colony safety, regularly identify parasite prevalence, and assess potential risk factors. This would allow the impact of pathogens on bee health to be recognized and quantified on a global scale. The research emphasizes the need for further development of treatment options, including synthetic options, gene editing, vaccines, or alternative treatments, to address prevalent worldwide diseases and improve honey bee health.
  • Published in:Veterinary Medicine and Science,
  • Study Type:Systematic Review,
  • Source: 10.1002/vms3.1194
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