Honeybee visitation to shared flowers increases Vairimorpha ceranae prevalence in bumblebees.

ABSTRACT: Vairimorpha (=Nosema) ceranae is a widespread pollinator parasite that commonly infects honeybees and wild pollinators, including bumblebees. Honeybees are highly competent V. ceranae hosts and previous work in experimental flight cages suggests V. ceranae can be transmitted during visitation to shared flowers. However, the relationship between floral visitation in the natural environment and the prevalence of V. ceranae among multiple bee species has not been explored. Here, we analyzed the number and duration of pollinator visits to particular components of squash flowers-including the petals, stamen, and nectary-at six farms in southeastern Michigan, USA. We also determined the prevalence of V. ceranae in honeybees and bumblebees at each site. Our resu

SUBMITTER: Zbrozek M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10511299 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature