Free Access
Issue
Apidologie
Volume 23, Number 1, 1992
Page(s) 61 - 70
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19920107
Apidologie 23 (1992) 61-70
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19920107

Intracellular germination of spores of Nosema apis Z

I. Friesa, R.R. Granadosb and R.A. Morsea

a  Cornell University, Entomology Department, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
b  Cornell University, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Abstract - Intracellular germination of Nosema apis spores is shown in TEM preparations of infected honey bee (Apis mellifera) ventricular cells. A series of observations at different times post-infection provides support for a hypothesis that could explain the rapid intercellular spread of the parasite. It is suggested that the first spores produced often germinate and spread the parasite within the epithelium, whereas intact and durable spores are produced later in infected cells when they become more crowded with parasites.


Key words: Nosema apis / germination / spread / parasite