U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research: Logan, UT
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Pacific West Area Logan, Utah Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications
- Bee Lab Main
- Bee Mail Shelter
- Bumble Bee Rearing Guide
- Blue Orchard Bee - Fact Sheet
- Blue Orchard Bee Rearing Guide
- Build a Nesting Block
- Gardening & Landscaping Practices for Nesting Native Bees
- Gardening for Native Bees in N. America
- Hang Tags for Flowers
- Ozone to Decontaminate Honey Bee Supers
- Pollen Traps
- Reed Nests
- Stick Nests
- Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee (ALCB)
- Blue Orchard Bee
- Bumble Bee
- Bumble Bee Utah Quickguide
- Bumble Bees of the Pacific Northwest
- Monitoring Bumble Bees in the Pacific Northwest
- Bumble Bees Western U.S. Guide
- U.S. National Pollinating Insects Collection
- What are Bees?
- Pollinator Of The Month
- Bee Lab Main

Title:   Author  item
                                            James, Rosalinditem
                                            SKINNER, J. - OREGON ST.UNIV.HORT. DPT
  Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2005
                                    Publication  Date: 10/1/2005
                                    Citation: James, R.R., Skinner, J.S. 2005. PCR diagnostic methods for Ascosphaera infections in bees. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 90:(2):98-103.Interpretive Summary: Chalkbrood is a serious disease affecting bees. This disease is caused by fungi called Ascosphaera, but it is difficult to tell the different Ascosphaera species apart because they all look very similar. Most identifications are based on the size and shape of the spores and spore-producing structures. Unfortunately, much overlap occurs in the size of these structures, and some Ascosphaera species will not produce spores when grown on a culture plate, they must have a host. We report a quick and reliable diagnostic method for identifying Ascosphaera infections in bees using DNA markers. We can identify any Ascosphaera fungus as such, and can differentiate species for those known to occur in leafcutting bees and honey bees. Using these methods, chalkbrood can be detected and identified from samples of bees, including bees that have not yet developed disesase symptoms. Furthermore, our diagnostic methods can detect co-infections of multiple Ascosphaera species in a single host.
                                Technical Abstract: Fungi in the genus Ascosphaera are the causative agents of chalkbrood, a major disease affecting bee larval viability. Identification of individual Ascosphaera species based on morphological features has been difficult due to a lack of distinguishing characteristics. Most identifications are based on the size and shape of the ascomata, spore balls and conidia. Unfortunately, much overlap occurs in the size of these structures, and some Ascosphaera species will not produce sexual structures in vitro. We report a quick and reliable diagnostic method for identifying Ascosphaera infections in Megachile bees (leafcutting bees) using PCR markers that employs genus-specific primers for Ascosphaera, and species-specific primers for species known to occur in Megachile. Using these methods, species identifications can be performed directly on bees, including asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, the PCR markers can detect co-infections of multiple Ascosphaera species in a single host. We also identified a marker for A. apis, the predominant cause of chalkbrood in Apis mellifera, the honey bee. Our diagnostic methods eliminate the need for culturing samples, and could be used to process a large number of field collected bee larvae.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov