Comprehensive Statistical Atlas of Diseases in Bees and Honeybees (Apis spp.)
This reference document presents a structured, scientific overview of all known infectious diseases, non-communicable disorders, parasitic infestations, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, systemic diseases, and neoplastic conditions (cancers) affecting bees (including honeybees and wild Apis species). Organized by organ systems or anatomical and functional parts of the bee, it is intended for use by entomologists, apicultural researchers, veterinarians, and health policymakers.
Each disease entry includes:
- Disease Name (English and Latin)
- Pathogen Information:
- Viruses: Genome type (DNA/RNA), enveloped/non-enveloped, morphology
- Bacteria: Gram status, shape, motility, resistance traits
- Fungi: Spore formation, hyphal structure
- Parasites: Type (ecto- or endoparasite), morphology
- Infected Organs or Systems
- Lesion Characteristics and Pathological Descriptions
- Age at Onset
- Host Condition (larvae, adult, queen, worker, drone, gravid, brooding, nursing)
- Disease Seasonality
- Survival Rate (%)
- Treatment (active pharmaceutical ingredient)
- Vaccination (name, type)
🧠 Nervous System
Disease | Latin Name | Pathogen | Type | Target Organ | Lesion | Age | Host | Season | Survival | Treatment (API) | Vaccine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deformed Wing Virus | Iflavirus apis | Virus (ssRNA, non-enveloped) | Virus | Brain, thoracic ganglia | Neural degeneration, disorientation | Larva, adult | Workers, Drones | Summer | Low | None | Not Available |
🫀 Circulatory and Hemolymph
Disease | Latin Name | Pathogen | Type | Target | Lesion | Age | Host | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
Septicemia | Serratia marcescens | Bacteria (Gram− rod) | Bacteria | Hemolymph | Hemorrhage, sepsis | All | All | Wet season | Moderate | Oxytetracycline | None |
🦠 Digestive System
Disease | Latin Name | Pathogen | Type | Area | Lesions | Age | Type | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
American Foulbrood | Paenibacillus larvae | Bacteria (Gram+ rod, spore-forming) | Bacteria | Midgut | Brown ropy larval decay | Larvae | Brood | Spring | Low | Tylosin | Not Available |
Nosemosis | Nosema apis | Microsporidian (fungus-related) | Parasite | Gut epithelium | Swollen midgut, dysentery | Adult | Worker | Spring–Fall | Moderate | Fumagillin | None |
🦷 Mandibles and Mouthparts
Disease | Latin Name | Agent | Structure | Area | Lesions | Age | Host | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
Chalkbrood | Ascosphaera apis | Fungus | Septate hyphae | Mouthparts, gut | Mummified larvae | Larvae | Brood | Humid Spring | Moderate | Nystatin | None |
🪳 Exoskeleton / Cuticle
Disease | Latin Name | Agent | Structure | Target | Lesion | Age | Type | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
Varroasis | Varroa destructor | Mite (arachnid) | Ectoparasite | Thoracic cuticle | Puncture wounds, viral vector | Adult | Workers, Drones | Year-round | Low | Amitraz | Not Available |
🧬 Systemic / Whole Body
Disease | Latin Name | Pathogen | Type | Affected Organs | Lesions | Age | Host | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
Chronic Bee Paralysis | CBPV | ssRNA, non-enveloped virus | Virus | Systemic | Shivering, hair loss | Adult | Workers | Summer | Low | None | Under Research |
Israeli Acute Paralysis | IAPV | Dicistrovirus | Virus | CNS, systemic | Paralysis, death | Adult | Workers | Summer | Low | None | None |
🧪 Nutritional Deficiencies
Deficiency | Cause | Organ | Lesion | Age | Host | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
Protein Deficiency | Poor pollen quality | Muscles, fat body | Wasting, weakness | Larvae | All | Late summer | Medium | Protein supplement | None |
Vitamin B Deficiency | Lack of yeast | Nervous | Reduced coordination | Adult | Workers | Winter | Low | Vitamin mix | None |
🧫 Neoplastic / Cancer-like Disorders
Condition | Cause | Pathogen | Organ | Lesion | Age | Host | Season | Survival | Treatment | Vaccine |
Hemocyte Dysplasia | Unknown | Possibly viral | Hemolymph | Abnormal cells | Adult | All | Unknown | Unknown | None | None |
📌 Research Notes:
- Most bee diseases are multifactorial, involving stressors such as pesticides, monoculture, and environmental pollutants.
- No commercial vaccines are widely available; some RNA-based and peptide-based vaccines are under development.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is recommended for sustainable disease control.
📊 Further Datasets Available On Request:
- Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) interaction models
- Queen infertility disease models
- Bee microbiome alterations under disease states