POLLINATOR PARASITE: Biodiversity, impact and control of microsporidia in bumble bee (Bombus spp.) pollinators

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 02.0148

Key words (English)

Agriculture; Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Life Sciences; Resources of the Sea; Fisheries

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK5-CT-2002-00741

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.5 Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

Bumble bee rearing for pollination is a necessary tool for farming of many crops. In spite of observations of microsporidian infections in 14 different bumble be especies, only one microsporidium, Nosema bombi, has been described from bumblebees. For production of bumble bee colonies it is essential to know the causative agents of disease for proper control. To avoid introduction of novel or non-endemic parasites into new areas or host species, it is vital to study Microsporidia in bumble bees (colonies are transported over long distances). We wish to document Microsporidia diversity in bumble bees, study cross-infectivity across species, costs they exert on their hosts and examine patterns of cladogenesis among Microsporidia and their hosts. Further, we wish to develop a PCR-based tool for Microsporidia detection, document infection incidence in the field and in rearing operations and develop effective control strategies.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 02.0148