ISHS Acta Horticulturae 590: IX International Workshop on Fire Blight
ERWINIA AMYLOVORA LONGEVITY IN BEEHIVES, BEEHIVE PRODUCTS AND HONEYBEES |
| Authors: | M. Alexandrova, C. Porrini, C. Bazzi, E. Carpana, M. Bigliardi, A.G. Sabatini |
| Keywords: | fire blight, bacterial persistence, Apis mellifera, honey, honeywax, pollen, propolis |
| Abstract:
The purpose of our studies, carried out in 1998-2000, was to investigate Erwinia amylovora longevity in beehive products (honey, beewax, pollen and propolis), on the honeybee body and in the honeybee intestine, as well as in beehives kept outdoors during spring and autumn. In the laboratory experiments, the maximum longevity period in honey was 42 days at 4°C; at higher conservation temperatures (28 and 35°C) the bacteria survived less than two days. In beewax, the maximum longevity period was 21 days at 4 and 15°C, 16 days at 28°C, and two days at 35°C. In pollen, the persistence of E. amylovora exceeded 30 weeks at both 4 and 15°C, while at 28 and 35°C bacteria died during the first week after contamination. Regardless of the conservation temperature in propolis, bacteria died shortly after contamination. The longevity of E. amylovora on the honeybee body was 48 h at both 15 and 28°C; at 35°C, viable bacteria were detected up to 42 h after contamination. In the honeybee intestine, the bacteria survived for a maximum of 36 h at both 15 and 28°C; at 35°C, viable bacterial cells were re-isolated up to 30 h after contamination. In beehives kept outdoors during spring, E. amylovora survived for 30 h in honey, 36 h in beewax, 60 h in pollen, 36 h and 30 h on the honeybee body and in the honeybee intestine, respectively. During autumn, bacteria survived for 36 h in honey (peripheral honey comb) and 36-48 h (brood area), for 48 h in beewax, 72 h in pollen and 48 h and 36 h on the honeybee body and in the honeybee intestine, respectively. | |
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