Molecular and immunological studies on honeybee queens Apis mellifera (L.) and their antibacterial activity against Paenibacillus larvae larvae

Abstract

The most important objective of research on honey bee (Apis mellifera) is to breed bees that resist or tolerate pests and pathogens. Upon immunological encounter with a pathogen, the honey bee queen could influence the immunity of direct progeny, thus increasing resistance to current infection in the colony. The present investigation has been conducted to characterize morphological and physiological changes in virgin honey bee queens challenged, in 4th larval instar, with a sub-lethal dose of Paenibacillus larvae larvae, the causative of American foulbrood (AFB) which is considered to be the most threatening bacterial disease of honey bee brood. It is very important to employ resistance management strategies to allow bee brood to develop resistance against bacteria. The current study can also be accomplished through identification of traits or genes linked to resistance to infection in individual queens.