Free Access
Issue
Apidologie
Volume 21, Number 3, 1990
Page(s) 233 - 241
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19900308
Apidologie 21 (1990) 233-241
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19900308

Isolation and characterization of Bacillus coagulans associated with half-moon disorder of honey bees

J.D. Vandenberg and H. Shimanuki

USDA-ARS Beneficial Insects Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA

Abstract - Nine different isolates of the bacterium Bacillus coagulans were isolated from honey bee larval cadavers collected from colonies afflicted with half-moon disorder (HMD) in New Zealand. One isolate was selected for detailed characterization and pathogenicity testing. Laboratory-reared larvae became infected when inoculated with the test isolate at 1 or 2 d of age. No infection was observed among larvae inoculated in combs placed in small colonies in outdoor cages. Although able to infect larvae under certain conditions, B coagulans is probably not the cause of HMD.


Key words: Bacillus coagulans / Apis mellifera / honey bee larvae / half-moon disorder