Screening of natural compounds for the control of nosema disease in honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Abstract

-The potential of some natural compounds (thymol, vetiver essential oil, lysozyme, resveratrol) for the control of nosema infection in honeybees was evaluated. A first trial aimed at screening substances, in candy preparations, on the basis of their toxicity to honeybees and bees' dietary preferences. None of the tested substances showed an increased bee mortality or decreased bee preference, and were therefore considered suitable for further testing. In the second trial the effects of the natural compounds on nosema diseased honeybees were evaluated: bees were individually dosed with nosema spores and fed candies prepared with the screened substances. The results showed that bees fed with thymol and resveratrol candies had significantly lower infection rates, and bees supplied with resveratrol prepared candy also lived significantly longer. We suggest that thymol and resveratrol could be useful in alternative strategies for the control of nosema disease.Nosema / microsporidian / honeybee / thymol / resveratrol

The effect of Agaricus brasiliensis extract supplementation on honey bee colonies

“…Thus, 20 bees weighing 2 g, placed in each rearing cup, were to receive 0.2 mg of extract per day. As daily consumption rate per bee is 50 mg (Maistrello et al 2008), 20 bees in a cup consume 1000 mg (1 g) of food each day. Thus, 0.2 mg of A. brasiliensis extract mixed in 1 g of candy (or 1 ml of syrup) provided the required daily dose per cup.…”

Distribution, epidemiological characteristics and control methods of the pathogen Nosema ceranae Fries in honey bees Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

“…Bees fed with thymol candy show a progressive decrease in infection levels 19 days after infection, with 6% lower levels after 13 days and a fall of 68% between 19 and 25 days (Maistrello et al 2008). Therefore, thymol and resveratrol have potential for the development of alternative strategies for nosemosis control, resulting also in significantly longer-lived honey bees (Maistrello et al 2008, Costa et al 2010. In the case of thymol the longer survival may be related with the lower spore load, while in the case of resveratrol the increased survival may be explained by the antioxidant properties of the substance (Costa et al 2010).…”

“…Bees fed with thymol candy show a progressive decrease in infection levels 19 days after infection, with 6% lower levels after 13 days and a fall of 68% between 19 and 25 days (Maistrello et al 2008). Therefore, thymol and resveratrol have potential for the development of alternative strategies for nosemosis control, resulting also in significantly longer-lived honey bees (Maistrello et al 2008, Costa et al 2010.…”

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“…O uso de produtos químicos integrados em conjunto com produtos naturais alternativos no tratamento de doenças pode ajudar a reduzir a contaminação dos produtos apícolas (Albo et al, 2003). Outros métodos preventivos de controle seriam a instalação das colmeias em locais com pouca umidade e a desinfecção de equipamentos com ácido acético entre um manejo e outro (Maistrello et al, 2008).…”