PCR-based screening of pathogens and parasites in Bombus terrestris populations of Turkey

Abstract

Purpose Bumblebees are an important group of insects in the pollination of various vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, legumes, and the fodder crops. Compared to honeybees, they have a wider choice of hosts and a longer flight period. These bees are used especially for the pollination of plants in greenhouses and are commercially produced for this purpose. Recently, serious decreases have been occurring in bumblebee populations due to various reasons such as pathogens and parasites, and some of species are even threatened with extinction. In this study, the presence of various pathogens and parasites was investigated by PCR in Turkish populations. Methods A total of 172 Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus,1758) samples (21 samples from commercial enterprises, 79 samples from greenhouses and 72 samples from nature) collected from three provinces (Antalya, Mersin and İzmir) where greenhouse cultivation is intensively carried out in Turkey. 89 of these samples were collected in the spring and 83 in the fall. Results The overall prevalence of Nosema bombi, Crithidia bombi, Apicyctis bombi and Locustacarus buchneri was determined as 7.55%, 9.3%, 11.62% and 4.65%, respectively. Co-infections (5.81%) were only detected in nature samples. C. bombi and A. bombi infections were detected at higher rates in the spring samples than the autumn samples (p < 0.05). Conclusion The obtained results could be important in determining the spread rates of the bumblebee diseases in Turkey and in the control of these diseases. More studies are needed to determine the transmission pathways of these pathogens between the populations.