<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), one of the pests of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, has spread almost all over the world. Although the G. mellonella is often reported to infest weak honey bee colonies that are exposed to pesticides and diseases, it is also a threat for healthy colonies. Therefore, there is a fairly high probability of transmission of both microflora-specific bacteria and pathogen microorganisms, especially Nosema species, between these organisms (Moth and bees). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Nosema species in greater wax moth G. mellonella collected from apiaries as well as grown in laboratory conditions. Adults and late instar larva of wax moth were used for detecting Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Real-time PCR amplification studies were performed and specific ITS regions were targeted to distinguish Nosema species. Real-time PCR results showed that N. apis and N. ceranae were found in both phases of G. mellonella. This is the first study to confirm that N. apis and N. ceranae are present in greater wax moth collected from apiaries and grown at laboratories in Turkey.</p></abstract>

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), one of the pests of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, has spread almost all over the world. Although the G. mellonella is often reported to infest weak honey bee colonies that are exposed to pesticides and diseases, it is also a threat for healthy colonies. Therefore, there is a fairly high probability of transmission of both microflora-specific bacteria and pathogen microorganisms, especially Nosema species, between these organisms (Moth and bees). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Nosema species in greater wax moth G. mellonella collected from apiaries as well as grown in laboratory conditions. Adults and late instar larva of wax moth were used for detecting Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Real-time PCR amplification studies were performed and specific ITS regions were targeted to distinguish Nosema species. Real-time PCR results showed that N. apis and N. ceranae were found in both phases of G. mellonella. This is the first study to confirm that N. apis and N. ceranae are present in greater wax moth collected from apiaries and grown at laboratories in Turkey.

First Detection of Nosema Ceranae and Nosema Apis in Greater Wax Moth Galleria Mellonella

Journal of Apicultural Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), one of the pests of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, has spread almost all over...

First Detection of Nosema Ceranae and Nosema Apis in Greater Wax Moth Galleria Mellonella

Published Online: Dec 12, 2017

Page range: 185 - 192

Received: Mar 16, 2017

Accepted: Jun 04, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2017-0015

Keywords
Galleria mellonella, honey bee, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, real-time PCR

© by Erkay Ozgor

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

First Detection of Nosema Ceranae and Nosema Apis in Greater Wax Moth Galleria Mellonella

Published Online: Dec 12, 2017

Page range: 185 - 192

Received: Mar 16, 2017

Accepted: Jun 04, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2017-0015

KeywordsGalleria mellonella, honey bee, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, real-time PCR

© by Erkay Ozgor

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Galleria mellonella, honey bee, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, real-time PCR