BEE-L Archives

Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

BEE-L@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Peter Loring Borst <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 7 Apr 2015 11:25:57 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (17 lines)
The incidental collection of fungal spores by bees and the collection of spores in lieu of pollen.
Shaw, D. E., Plant Pathology Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, Qld. 4068, Australia.
Bee World 1990 Vol. 71 No. 4 pp. 158-176

> This review, with 89 references, presents records of the collection of fungal spores by honeybees (Apis spp.) and other Apoidea. The incidental collection of fungal spores may be implicated in the spread of plant pathogens and this aspect is discussed briefly. The spores of 3 groups of fungi (rust fungi, powdery mildews and Neurospora) have been collected by bees in lieu of pollen, and a table gives details of records involving Apis mellifera. 

> Aspects which are discussed include the abundance of spores, colour, ease of detachment, honeybee foraging behaviour, destination of fungal loads, nutritional requirements of honeybees, chemical constitution of fungal spores, effect of spores on honeybee brood, and plant pathological and evolutionary aspects. The need for further records, and the form that these should take, are also discussed.

> The literature concerning the incidental collection of spores and their collection in lieu of pollen is reviewed. The collection of rust, powdery mildew and Neurospora spores by bees has been reported world-wide. The chemical composition of the spores, especially the protein levels, indicates that these fungi can be regarded as nutrients. Although the amounts collected are infinitesimal, the spores may supplement food when pollen is in short supply.

PLB

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

ATOM RSS1 RSS2