Zeitschrift für Stammzellforschung und -therapie

Abstrakt

Integration of Molecular and Genetic Methods in the Investigation of the Biodiversity of the Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera L., Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Diagnosis of Diseases of Economic Importance Affecting the Bees and their Brood in Bulgaria

Peter Hristov and Georgi Radoslavov

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L., Hymenoptera: Apidae) is species of crucial economic, agricultural and environmental importance. According to Albert Einstein “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man”. First domesticated around 5000 BC, nowadays the species has a worldwide distribution (excluding the Antarctic). Based on morphometrical, behavioral and biogeographical data, 29 subspecies of A. mellifera are recognized, also known as “geographical races”, since their distribution corresponds to specific geographical areas. In the last few years a global decrease of honey bee hives is observed (from 21 mln to 15.5 mln) which is detrimental both to the production of honey bee products and to the pollination and production of many crops and wild plants. Reasons for this decline are of different origin and are not entirely understood but are linked to the synergistic effects of infestation with different parasites (varroosis and nosemosis), viral and bacterial infections (foulbrood) and widely used pesticides in the farming industry (including in genetically modified crops) as well as with the loss of genetic diversity.