Abstract Nosema disease is a prominent malady among adult honey bees [Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)], caused by the microsporidian parasites, Nosema apis Zander (Microspora: Nosematidae) and N. ceranae Fries et al. 1996.The biology of N. apis is well understood, as this parasite was first described over a century ago. As N. ceranae is an emerging parasite of the honey bee, we do not yet understand how long spores of this parasite survive in honey bee colonies, or all the potential modes of transmission among bees. We investigated the viability and infectivity of N. ceranae spores in honey and on beeswax over time after exposure to 33, 20, –12, and –20°C. Spores in honey maintained viability at freezing temperatures for up to 1 yr and remained viable considerably longer than those on beeswax. Based on this evidence, honey may act as an important reservoir for infective spores to initiate or perpetuate N. ceranae infections in honey bee colonies. This work provides information that may help enhance current management recommendations for apiculturalists.

中文翻译：

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Nosema ceranae（小孢子虫：Nosematidae）：一个甜蜜的惊喜？调查蜂蜜和蜂蜡中保存的 N. ceranae 孢子的活力和传染性

摘要 Nosema 病是成年蜜蜂 [Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)] 中的一种突出疾病，由微孢子虫 Nosema apis Zander (Microspora: Nosematidae) 和 N. ceranae Fries 等人引起。1996. 蜜蜂猪笼草的生物学特性已广为人知，因为这种寄生虫在一个多世纪前首次被描述。由于 N. ceranae 是蜜蜂的一种新兴寄生虫，我们尚不了解这种寄生虫的孢子在蜜蜂群中存活多长时间，或者蜜蜂之间的所有潜在传播方式。我们研究了蜂蜜和蜂蜡中的 N.ceranae 孢子在暴露于 33、20、–12 和 –20°C 后随时间推移的生存力和传染性。蜂蜜中的孢子在冷冻温度下保持活力长达 1 年，并且比蜂蜡上的孢子保持活力的时间要长得多。根据这个证据，蜂蜜可能是感染性孢子的重要储存库，在蜜蜂群中引发或延续 N.ceranae 感染。这项工作提供的信息可能有助于增强当前对养蜂人的管理建议。