Fungal diseases

microsporidia

spore-forming intracellular parasites

polar tubule

a characteristic structure of all microsporidia

sporoplasm

contains a single nucleus and the posterior vacuole, surrounded by the polar filament coils at the posterior region

Nosema apis

nosema affecting Apis mellifera

Nosema ceranae

nosema affecting Apis cerana

Nosema neumanni

nosema affecting A. mellifera in Uganda

merogony

proliferative phase of nosema

sporogony

spore production phase of nosema

nosemosis type A

• Crawling bees with disjointed wings and swollen abdomens.²

• Milky-white gut coloration.

• Dead bees at hive entrances.

• Brownish-yellow fecal streaks present on combs and hive exterior (dysentery).

nosemosis type C

• Does not include dysentery or crawling.

• Characterized by suppressed immunity.³

• Energetic stress.

• Decreased foraging activity.

• Diminished honey production.⁴

• Poor colony growth, particularly during spring.

Ascosphaera apis

causes chalkbrood disease

sealed and unsealed brood

the affected stage of chalkbrood disease

white mummy

this is formed when the dead larva dries in chalkbrood diseasr

black mummy

this is formed when spores develop in chalkbrood disease

easy removal of infected larva

differentiates chalkbrood from other brood diseases

Aspergillus spp.

causative agent of stonebrood disease

yellow green

color of powder spores of A. flavus

gray green

color of powder spores of A. fumigatus

stonebrood disease

after death, the larvae turn black and become difficult to crush

chalkbrood disease

fungus-killed larvae shrink and dry to form a white or gray-black chalk-like mummy