Antonio Nanetti

CREA Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria · CREA-AA Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) have to face many challenges, including Varroa destructor infestation, associated with viral transmission. Oxalic acid is one of the most common treatments against Varroa. Little is known about the physiological effects of oxalic acid, especially those on honeybees’ immune systems. In this study, the short-term effects...

The interspecific transmission of pathogens can occur frequently in the environment. Among wild bees, the main spillover cases are caused by pathogens associated with Apis mellifera, whose colonies can act as reservoirs. Due to the limited availability of data in Italy, it is challenging to accurately assess the impact and implications of this phen...

Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) usually persist as covert infections in honey bee colonies. They can cause rapid bee mortality in cases of severe infection, often associated with high Varroa destructor infestation, by which they are transmitted. In various countries, these viruses...

The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance stands as a paramount health challenge in the contemporary era. Within a One Health approach, it becomes crucial to effectively track the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, not only within humans and animals but also within the environment. To investigate the environment, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) h...

Mediterranean Beekeeping and Global Climate Changes

Genetic Structure of Mediterranean Beekeeping and Local Bee Subtypes Related to Global Climate Change.

Understanding the health status of bees is crucial in assessing the epidemiology of pathogens that cause diseases in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies and wild bees [...]

Pollinators are vitally important for the maintenance of ecosystems and the reproduction of most spontaneous and cultivated plants. However, in the last decades, they are suffering from an alarming decline, with the spread of pathogens and parasites being one of the main causes. Apis mellifera L. is the best-studied pollinator, and several studies...

Varroa destructor is a mite causing serious damage to western honey bees. Managed colonies require artificial varroa control, which may be best obtained by combining mechanical and chemical methods. This study explored the possible effects of the combination of queen caging and oxalic acid treatment on the immune system (glucose oxidase, phenoloxid...

Beekeeping provides a livelihood for hundreds of thousands of beekeepers in the Mediterranean area. This activity relies on a number of different indigenous subspecies, adapted to the very diverse and harsh conditions of the region. Climate change is expected to increase the stress factors affecting bees, especially in this region, reducing both po...

The spillover of Apis mellifera L. pathogens represents one driver implicated in the decline of pollinators. The sac brood virus (SBV) is a widespread pathogen of honey bees, which mainly hits the brood, but it can remain active in pollen and asymptomatic adult bees, continuing the infection in the colony. This investigation aimed to evaluate the S...

The recent decades witnessed the collapse of honey bee colonies at a global level. The major drivers of this collapse include both individual and synergic pathogen actions, threatening the colonies’ survival. The need to define the epidemiological pattern of the pathogens that are involved has led to the establishment of monitoring programs in many...

Diseases contribute to the decline of pollinator populations, which may be aggravated by the interspecific transmission of honey bee pests and pathogens. Flowers increase the risk of transmission, as they expose the pollinators to infections during the foraging activity. In this study, both the prevalence and abundance of 21 honey bee pathogens (11...

Protein-supplemented artificial diets are widely used by beekeepers during winter and whenever food availability is low, yet no data are available concerning their effects on bees’ health. In this work, the effects of two commercial diets enriched with 1.7% and 7.7% protein concentration on feed intake, survival rate, glucose oxidase, phenoloxidase...

The microsporidian Nosema ceranae is a severe threat to the western honey bee Apis mellifera, as it is responsible for nosemosis type C, which leads the colonies to dwindle and collapse. Infection quantification is essential to clinical and research aims. Assessment is made often with molecular assays based on rRNA genes, which are present in the N...

The microsporidian fungus Nosema ceranae represents one of the primary bee infection threats worldwide and the antibiotic fumagillin is the only registered product for nosemosis disease control, while few alternatives are, at present, available. Natural bioactive compounds deriving from the glucosinolate–myrosinase system (GSL–MYR) in Brassicaceae...

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Airflows sustain the infection spread, and in densely urbanized areas airborne particulate matters (PMs) are deemed to aggravate the viral transmission. Apis mellifera colonies are used as bioindicators as they allow environmental sampling of different nature, PMs included. This experiment demons...

Honey bees, and pollinators in general, play a major role in the health of ecosystems. There is a consensus about the steady decrease in pollinator populations, which raises global ecological concern. Several drivers are implicated in this threat. Among them, honey bee pathogens are transmitted to other arthropods populations, including wild and ma...

Honey bee health is a very important issue that has recently caught the increased interest of researchers, stakeholders and citizens [...]

The deformed wing virus (DWV) is one of the most common honey bee pathogens. The virus may also be detected in other insect species, including Bombus terrestris adults from wild and managed colonies. In this study, individuals of all stages, castes, and sexes were sampled from three commercial colonies exhibiting the presence of deformed workers an...

Nosema ceranae is a widespread parasite responsible for nosemosis Type C in Apis mellifera honey bees, reducing colony survival. The antibiotic fumagillin is the only commercial treatment available, but concerns are emerging about its persistence, safety, and pathogen resistance. The use of natural substances from Brassicaceae defatted seed meals (...

Knowledge regarding the honey bee pathogens borne by invasive bee pests remains scarce. This investigation aimed to assess the presence in Aethina tumida (small hive beetle, SHB) adults of honey bee pathogens belonging to the following groups: i) bacteria (Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius), ii) trypanosomatids (Lotmaria passim and C...

Aethina tumida Murray (small hive beetle, SHB) is an invasive pest of Apis mellifera L. colonies, and is attracted to honey bee colony odors and pheromones. This work aims to investigate A. tumida odorant binding proteins (Atum_OBPs) from adult individuals , to improve the knowledge on the molecular basis of olfaction and, thus, contribute to the d...

The effects of in-hive tasks on the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) ventriculus microbial profile were investigated by analysing honey bees belonging to six in-hive tasks (newly-emerged, nurses, wax builder, guardians, young foragers, old foragers). Total viable aerobic bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, lactic acid...

Nosema ceranae is a worldwide distributed midgut parasite of western honey bees, leading to dwindling colonies and their collapse. As a treatment, only fumagillin is available, causing issues like resistance and hampered bee physiology. This study aimed to evaluate ApiHerb ® and Api-Bioxal ® as treatments against N. ceranae. The efficacy was tested...

Most Varroa induced colony losses occur during the autumn or winter season as a consequence of an elevated Varroa infestation level and an insufficient health status of the adult bees. Even with an initial low Varroa infestation in early spring, critical mite and virus infection levels can be reached before winter if colonies continuously rear broo...

The effects of veterinary drugs, dietary supplements and non-protein amino acids on the European honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola, 1806) ventriculum microbial profile were investigated. Total viable aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., aerobic bacterial endospores...

The microsporidia Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae are major honey bee pathogens that possess different characteristics in terms of the signs they produce, as well as disease development and transmission. Although the ventricular epithelium is generally considered the target tissue, indirect observations led to speculation that N. ceranae may also ta...

Most Varroa induced colony losses occur during the winter season in consequence of insufficient health status of the winter bee population. Even with low mite infestation in early spring critical infection levels can be reached until the period of winter bee production if colonies continuously rear brood throughout the whole season. Under natural c...

Nosema ceranae is an emerging Apis mellifera pathogen parasitizing the epithelial cells of honey bee ventriculum. In the past years, it has become one of the most prevalent honey bee pathogens globally. The infections, known as Nosemosis type C, are detrimental both at the individual and at the colony level, making N. ceranae one of the major drive...

Nosema ceranae is an emerging Apis mellifera pathogen parasitizing the epithelial cells of honey bee ventriculum. In the past years, it has become one of the most prevalent honey bee pathogens globally. The infections, known as Nosemosis type C, are detrimental both at the individual and at the colony level, making N. ceranae one of the major drive...

The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is a major driver of honey bee colony loss globally. Oxalic acid (OA) solutions trickled in winter and summer onto the combs reach effective control. However, internal hive conditions may promote water evaporation from the solution, ultimately reducing the treatment efficacy. Sucrose (S) is added as an excipient t...

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Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies are “superorganisms”. Individual bees do not display the complete behavioural and ecological range of the species. With its caste structure and division of labour, the colony acts as a functional entity. These social insects are in tight relationship with the environment, which they exploit usually in a symbiotic...

Small hive beetles (SHBs) are parasites of social bee colonies endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and have become a widespread invasive species. In the new ranges, SHBs can cause damage to apiculture and wild bees. Although the further spread seems inevitable, eradication of new introductions and containment of established ones are nevertheless urgently...

Small hive beetles (SHBs) are parasites of social bee colonies endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and have become a widespread invasive species. In the new ranges, SHBs can cause damage to apiculture and wild bees. Although the further spread seems inevitable , eradication of new introductions and containment of established ones are nevertheless urgentl...

Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae are microsporidian parasite worldwide spread causing an emerging infectious disease of European honeybee Apis mellifera. The Nosema presence was deeply investigated in several countries but low information are presents about islands. In this investigation was evaluated the presence N. ceranae and N. apis in apiaries l...

In order to investigate the possible infection of Nosema ceranae in small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, in 2017, beetle specimens were sampled in Gainesville (Florida). By Real-Time PCR (qPCR), using previously developed primers based on the 16S rRNA gene, N. ceranae was detected in 7 out of 10 SHB specimens, proving that the microsporidia can...

Oxalic acid achieves its maximum efficacy against Varroa destructor during the active season only when coupled with brood manipulation techniques like brood interruption and brood removal. This study aimed to assess the impact of these manipulations on the colony nutritional status and the subsequent wintering phase, focusing on selected haemolymph...

Nosema ceranae is now a widespread honey bee pathogen with high incidence in apiculture. Rapid and reliable detection and quantification methods are a matter of concern for research community, nowadays mainly relying on the use of biomolecular techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR or HRMA. The aim of this technical paper is to provide a new qPCR assay, ba...

The main biotic threat to honey bees all over the world is the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor (Acari: Mesostigmata). Without proper treatment, colonies are doomed and collapse within two years. Many treatments are used by beekeepers, with well-established acaricidal efficacy; however very little is known on the impact of the above-mentioned t...

Nosema ceranae is a widespread microsporidium of European honeybee Apis mellifera L. affecting bee health. The ban of Fumagillin-B (dicyclohexylammonium salt) in the European Union has driven the search for sustainable strategies to prevent and control the infection. The gut microbial symbionts, associated to the intestinal system of vertebrates an...

Nosema ceranae is a honey bee pathogen parasitizing the ventricular epithelium and potentially causing colony death. The effect of 0.25 M oxalic acid solution administered to the bees in the form of sugar syrup was determined in laboratory and field trials. The spore numbers in an 8-day laboratory experiment were significantly lower when AO was adm...

The idea of assessing Varroa destructor population in a honeybee colony by dislodging the mites with powdered sugar on a small sample of workers is about ten years old. Recently this practice has become popular in various contexts as a tool for the infestation quantification and treatment planning. Here we evaluate the performance of the method in...

Uncontrolled varroa populations, pharmacoresistance and need of organic acaricides are chief problems in many countries. This is particularly true in warm regions, where extended broodright periods let the infestations grow considerably and highly effective control concepts must be applied. The oxalic acid may be used best once dissolved in sucrose...

Nosema ceranae es uno de los patógenos más importantes que afectan a la industria apícola en todo el mundo. Recientes estudios muestran una alta prevalencia en Europa, sobre todo en los países Mediterráneos, como por ejemplo, España e Italia. Razones no aclaradas totalmente (medio ambiente, genética del hospedador y del parasito, etc.), hacen que e...

Given the key role played by honey bees in almost all terrestrial ecosystems, maintaining bee populations in adequate sanitary conditions is crucial for these essential pollinators to continue their work. From the beginning of the 21st century, beekeepers have reported a progressive increase in the overwintering mortality of honey bee colonies worl...

Microsporidiosis of adult honeybees caused by Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae is a common worldwide disease with negative impacts on colony strength and productivity. Few options are available to control the disease at present. The role of the queen in bee population renewal and the replacement of bee losses due to Nosema infection is vital to maint...

Oxalic acid field trails for the control of varroosis (Varroa destructor) were carried out in an apiary located on the Mt. Imittos (Attica, Greece). The colonies received four successive applications (approximately one every 16 days) with 4.2% oxalic acid (OA) and 60% sugar solution by trickling method with two alternative types of syringes (an aut...

The economically most important honey bee species, Apis mellifera, was formerly considered to be parasitized by one microsporidian, Nosema apis. Recently, [Higes, M., Martín, R., Meana, A., 2006. Nosema ceranae, a new microsporidian parasite in honeybees in Europe, J. Invertebr. Pathol. 92, 93-95] and [Huang, W.-F., Jiang, J.-H., Chen, Y.-W., Wang,...

The use of oxalic acid treatments against varroa disease (Varroa destructor) in Greek honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera) N. Bakandritsos (1), J. Papanastasiou (1), A. Nanetti (2) and G. Papadoulis (3) (1) Institute of Veterinary Research of Athens, NAGREF (2) Istituto Nazionale di Apicoltura, Bologna, Italy (3) Agricultural University of Athens AB...

The organic honey bee productions are provided for in the EU Regulation 1804/99. Notwithstanding the beekeeping industry deserves a considerable economic importance to the whole organic market of the EU, limited action is paid in favour of the organic beekeeping. A noticeable exception to this are the huge research efforts on the disease control, w...

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of six formulations containing thymol against the varroa mite under real beekeeping conditions of the Attica region, Greece. The treatments were made in the middle of April 2002 in an apiary divided into seven groups of eight colonies, one of which served as a control. To fit the usual beeke...

Three thymol-based products Apilife VAR, Apiguard® and Thymovar were tested on 103 beehives placed in four different Italian sites (NO1 and NO2, northern Italy; CNT, central Italy; SO, southern Italy). The field trial was carried out in August-September 1999 in broodright colonies. Apilife VAR showed the highest and most consistent varroacidal effe...

A new natural formula, Apedin Vapor(R) (water, ethanol 19%, lactose and plant extracts: Echinacea angustifolia, Thuya occidentalis, Spiraea ulmaria and Oxalis acetosella) is considered a honeybee feed and an acaricide against Varroa mites. Colonies in apiaries in Northern Italy were sprayed with 50 ml of a 1:2 solution. After seven administrations...

Oxalic acid treatments for varroa control (review) Antonio Nanetti, Ralph Buechler, Jean-Daniel Charriere, Ingemar Fries, Stine Helland, Anton Imdorf, Seppo Korpela, Preben Kristiansen A two-year set of experiments focusing on efficacy against varroa mites and tolerability for the colonies of the tricking method for oxalic acid (OA) administration...

Farmacodinamica acidului oxalic (AO) administrat prin picurare a fost examinată cu ajutorul metodelor radiochimice. Un sirop de zahăr, conţinând AO marcat cu 14C, a fost picurat într-o colonie, potrivit dozei şi tehnicii utilizate în general în practica apicolă. În primele patru zile, contaminarea albinelor adulte a atins 118 μ/g, dar a scăzut la m...

Gas chromatography, using a short capillary column (qualitative and quantitative) can be carried out on the sugar components (such as trimethylsilyl derivatives, acetyl derivatives) of Royal Jelly up to a maximum of 24 carbon atoms.The technique has made possible the identification of simple sugars contained in Royal Jelly (glucose, fructose and sa...

COMPOSITION OF THE LIPID FRACTION IN THE JELLY OF THE QUEEN BEE AND WORKER BEE LARVAE (APIS MELLIFERA LIGUSTICA SPINOLA) IN RELATION TO AGE An experiment was undertaken with the strict object of determining the composition and the qualitative aspects of the lipid fraction in the food destined for female bee larvae (Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola)...

The pharmacodynamics of oxalic acid (OA) administered by trickling was investigated by the means of radiochemical methods. A sugar syrup containing 14C marked OA was trickled into a colony according to the dose and the technique commonly used in the apicultural practice. In the first four days, the contamination of the adult bees reached 118 microg...

esistance to acaricides is a serious problem in the chemotherapy of the mite Varroa destructor and can cause disastrous colony losses if the control of the mite relies on ineffective treatments. A national monitoring programme to determine the proportion of mites resistant to fluvalinate and coumaphos was carried out in 2003 in Italy. Fifty-four sa...