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
                                            ZENGZHI, LI - Anhui Agricultural University
  Submitted to: Insect Pathology
                                    Publication Type: Book / Chapter
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 7/8/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 1/12/2012
                                    Citation: James, R.R., Zengzhi, L. 2012. From silkworms to bees:  Diseases of beneficial insects. Insect Pathology. 2nd Ed. Elsevier, NY. pp. 425-459.Interpretive Summary: This book chapter gives diagnostic descriptions and summaries of control methods for diseases of two groups of beneficial insects, silkworms and bees. The bee diseases described are not only from honey bees, but also other managed bees, including the bumbles bees, the alfalfa leafcutting bee, and mason bees.  Silkworms and honey bees have been managed by humans for a few thousand years. Loius Pastuer conducted research on silkworms looking for a cure to their diseases, and it was from this effort that he discovered microorganisms and the germ theory of disease.  Silkworms and bees are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists. These insects are also susceptible to parasites, pesticides, and environmental toxins.  Control measures for silkworm diseases center around sanitation, as medication options are extremely limited. During the last century, honey beekeepers have relied on medications to control disease. This approach has produced drug resistant diseases and left beekeepers vulnerable when new diseases arise, diseases for which we have no chemical treatments. An integrated approach, with an emphasis on prevention and sanitation measures would help reduce these problems.
                                Technical Abstract: The diseases of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and managed bees, including the honey bee (Apis mellifera), bumbles bees (Bombus spp.), the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata), and mason bees (Osmia spp.) are reviewed, with diagnostic descriptions and a summary of control methods for production systems.  Silkworms and honey bees have been managed by humans for a few thousand years. This close association has provided insights into the nature of infectious diseases, influencing microbiologists such as Louis Pasteur and Agostino Bassi.  Silkworms and bees are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists. However, pathogenic nematodes are conspicuously absent. These insects are also susceptible to parasitoids, mite parasites, pesticides, and environmental toxics.  Control measures for silkworm diseases center around sanitation, as medication options are extremely limited. During the last century, honey beekeeping has developed a reliance on medications, an approach that has produced drug resistant diseases. Furthermore, beekeepers are vulnerable to the introduction of new diseases that do not yet have control methods. An integrated approach, with an emphasis on prevention and sanitation measures would help reduce these problems.


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