A new study from Spain contends that Nosema ceranae is not a primary factor in colony collapse there

> We found 100% presence of Nosema spp. in some locations, indicating that this parasite was widespread throughout the country. The two year monitoring indicated that 87% of the hives with Nosema spp. remained viable, with normal honey production and biological development during this period of time. The results of these trials indicated that both N. ceranae and N. apis could be present in these beehives without causing disease symptom and that there is no evidence for the replacement of N. apis by N. ceranae, supporting the hypothesis that nosemosis is not the main reason of the collapse and death of beehives

In the questionnaire completed by beekeepers, 84% of the bee-
keepers claimed to have problems with the ectoparasite Varroa
destructor. Infestations by this mite, with its associated virus infec-
tions, is still the major culprit explaining a substantial proportion
of colony losses world-wide.

Asymptomatic presence of Nosema spp. in Spanish commercial apiaries
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology (2012)

contributed by PLB

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