Essentials, spadework, objectives

Module 4 - Spread of pathogens between bee colonies

Responsibility

Prof. Dr. R. Moritz, Halle
r.moritz@zoologie.uni-halle.de

Prof. Dr. R. Paxton, Halle
robert.paxton@zoologie.uni-halle.de

Essentials and spadework
  • High density of colonies increases the transmission of pathogens between colonies.
  • Drifting is one of the main reasons for the transmission of diseases.
  • The working groups of the MLU have a focus on genetic methods for describing population structure (Prof. Dr. Moritz) as well as on the biology and diagnosis of bee pathogens (Prof. Dr. Paxton). The industrial partner BioSolutions Halle GmbH has extensive experience in virus diagnostics.

Objectives

Capturing the transmission of bee pathogens between bee colonies:

  • Development of a qualitative diagnostic rapid test for APBV.
  • Identification of drifting bees by the use of genetic methods.
  • Determination of pathogen transmission by drifting.
  • Creating the basis for an improved colony layout in the apiary.