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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 47(7)

Survey of feral honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies for Nosema apis in Western Australia

Rob Manning A C , Kate Lancaster A , April Rutkay B and Linda Eaton B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Animal Research and Development Services, Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food, Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia.

B Data Analysis Australia, PO Box 3258, Broadway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: rmanning@agric.wa.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(7) 883-886 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04222
Submitted: 26 October 2004  Accepted: 14 January 2007   Published: 2 July 2007

Abstract

The parasite, Nosema apis, was found to be widespread among feral populations of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the south-west of Western Australia. The location, month of collection and whether the feral colony was enclosed in an object or exposed to the environment, all affected the presence and severity of infection. There was no significant difference in the probability of infection between managed and feral bees. However, when infected by N. apis, managed bees appeared to have a greater severity of the infection.

Additional keywords: metropolitan and rural bee colonies, swarms.


Acknowledgements

The following beekeepers are thanked for their assistance in the collection of feral honey bee samples: Alan Baker, Neil Brown, Gordon Brown, Kim Fewster, Steven Fewster, Colin Fleay, Deb Mason, Glen Pattinson, Steve Richards, Ken West and Wally Zajac. The Department of Agriculture and Food staff are also thanked for their input into the project: Jeff Mitchell, Joe King, and Dieter Palmer, Chris Hawkins, Jeff Beard, Jim Prince, Kate Ambrose and the library staff.


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