Field Application of an Innovative Approach to Assess Honeybee Health and Nutritional Status.

ABSTRACT: Environment, forage quality, management practices, pathogens, and pesticides influence honeybee responses to stressors. This study proposes an innovative approach to assess colony health and performance using molecular diagnostic tools by correlating hemolymph proteins with common measures of colony strength, prevalent honeybee pathogens (Varroa destructor and Nosema spp.), and essential trace elements (iron, zinc and copper). Colonies were selected from four apiaries located in different environmental and foraging conditions in the province of Bologna (Italy). Hemolymph samples were taken from June to October 2019. The Varroa infestation of the colonies was estimated by assessing the natural mortality of the mites, while the bees were tested for Nosema spp. spo

SUBMITTER: Rudelli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11311059 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature