Long term effects of a food supplement HiveAlive™ on honey bee colony strength and Nosema ceranae spore counts

Abstract

The long term effect of HiveAlive™, a commercial food supplement, was evaluated with respect to colony population size and Nosema ceranae spore loads. The supplement was administered in sugar syrup at a dose of 2.5 ml per liter of syrup to up to 20 colonies per group for a period of 2 years. Its use before and after winter increased a colony's worker population size by 89% and reduced Nosema ceranae spores by 57% compared to control colonies. These results represent the first-known hive manipulation to have a lasting effect on nosema spore levels. The positive effect of HiveAlive™ may have been a result of its continued use over a two-year period.Efectos a largo plazo del suplemento alimenticio HiveAlive TM sobre la fuerza de las colonias de abejas y el recuentos de esporas de Nosema ceranae El efecto a largo plazo de HiveAlive™, un suplemento alimenticio comercial, se evaluó con respecto al tamaño de la població n de la colonia y la carga de esporas de Nosema ceranae. El suplemento se administró en jarabe de azúcar a una dosis de 2,5 ml por litro de jarabe hasta 20 colonias por grupo en un período de dos años. Su uso antes y después del invierno aumentó el tamaño de la població n de obreras de una colonia hasta en un 89% y redujo las esporas de Nosema ceranae en un 57% en comparació n con las colonias de control. Estos resultados representan la primera manipulació n de las colmenas con un efecto duradero sobre los niveles de esporas de Nosema. El efecto positivo de HiveAlive™ puede haber sido resultado de su uso continuado durante un período de dos años.

The Herbal Supplements NOZEMAT HERB® and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS®: An Alternative Therapy for N. ceranae Infection and Its Effects on Honey Bee Strength and Production Traits

“…A number of commercial supplements (HiveAlive TM , Api-Bioxal ® and ApiHerb ® , “BEEWELL AminoPlus”, Nozevit ® , BeePro ® , MegaBee ® , etc.) have been tested for anti- N. ceranae activity as well [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. For instance, administration of HiveAlive TM and ApiHerb ® significantly reduces N. ceranae spores load [ 64 , 65 ].…”

“…have been tested for anti- N. ceranae activity as well [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. For instance, administration of HiveAlive TM and ApiHerb ® significantly reduces N. ceranae spores load [ 64 , 65 ]. Application of the dietary amino acid and vitamin complex called “BEEWELL AminoPlus” decreases N. ceranae spore and protects honey bees from immune suppression by upregulating the expression of genes for immune-related peptides (abaecin, apidaecin, hymenoptaecin, defensin and vitellogenin) [ 66 ].…”

Scientific Advances in Controlling Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) Infections in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

“…Further investigation and a larger sample size is needed in order to confirm these results, as van den Heever et al (46) reported no effect of Nozevit® in cage trials. A 2-year survey of the seaweed-based supplement HiveAlive™ reported a decrease in colony spore loads and an increased hive population relative to controls following administration of two biannual treatments (64). Surprisingly, survival was not commented on in this study, notwithstanding the authors account for colony mortality in their analyses of colony strength (64).…”

A new, practicable and economical cage design for experimental studies on small honey bee colonies

“…Observation of faecal deposits during week 1 showed that colony 2 displayed evidence of diarrhoea (black to dark brown compared with round, yellow and orange in the other colonies). Subsequently, all the colonies were treated with the digestive supplement HiveAlive™ (2.5 ml supplied in 1 litre of 55% sugar syrup) for 1 day (Charistos et al, 2016) and for the remainder of the trial there was no evidence of diarrhoea in colony 2 or in the other colonies.…”