The microbial status of bee families Apis melifera during the winter period

Abstract

Introduction. Bees are very important to balancing different ecosystems around the globe. It’s worth noting that, like animals and humans, bees are affected by different pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, ecto- and endoparasites, and fungi. Therefore, the health of bee families depends on the veterinary sanitary measures undertaken by the beekeepers in close contact with the veterinarians. The aim of the research is to analyze the impact of the microbial status of bee families during the winter period.

Material and methods.   The research consisted of bee families from the experimental apiary of the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology of the Technical University of Moldova. Samples of dead bees, about 50 from each examined hive, were collected for bacteriological research. The morphological properties of the bacterial colonies were studied.

Results. The obtained results demonstrate that a diverse microbial microflora prevails in bee families during the winter period. The results of microscopic investigations confirmed the presence of bacteria of the genus E. coli, accounting for over 50% of bacterial forms, followed by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus with a level of 30%, fungal flora 15%, and up to 5% bacteria of the genus Salmonella spp.

Conclusions. The bacteriological research carried out in bee families after the winter period reproduces the data of persistent bacteriocenosis in bee families during the cold period of the year and allows for predicting the risk of infectious diseases in bees.