Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

An Introduction to Honey Bee Pests and Diseases in Ontario

Like all other insects, honey bees (Apis mellifera) are susceptible to pests and diseases, the majority of which are specific to honey bees. These can impact the health of a honey bee colony with effects ranging from minor stress to the death of the colony. Some of these pests and diseases are quite common while others are rarely encountered. It is important for beekeepers to be aware, learn to identify them and effectively manage pests and diseases to maintain healthy colonies. This is particularly important because the health of one beekeeper's colony can impact another beekeeper's colony in the surrounding area. (See below for listing of honey bee pests and diseases in Ontario.)

Images (from left to right): Varroa mites, American foulbrood, honey bee, small hive beetle, honey bee infected with deformed wing virus.

Resources

Beekeepers in Ontario have access to a variety of educational and training resources in apiculture management, with many focussing on pests and diseases. Beekeepers are encouraged to use these resources and adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to managing the long term health of their honey bee colonies.

Apiculture Program, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

This program addresses honey bee health issues in Ontario. The provincial apiarist tracks the health of the industry and directs apiary inspectors responsible for inspecting apiaries and monitoring for pests and diseases throughout the province under the Bees Act of Ontario. Before sell honey bees or used beekeeping equipment they are required to have honey bee colonies and/or equipment inspected to validate the health of the material and must receive a permit. This is also required for imports or exports of bees between jurisdictions. The Apiculture Program provides advisory and outreach regarding bee health.

For a list of local apiary inspectors see:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/info_beeinspectors.htm

Ontario Beekeepers' Association (OBA)

This organization represents the beekeeping industry in Ontario. It is the largest group of commercial and non-commercial beekeepers in Ontario. The organization provides a variety of programs (research, marketing, etc.) and services to members and non-members. Access the OBA's website at http://www.ontariobee.com/

Technology Transfer Program, Ontario Beekeepers Association

This program works directly with beekeepers providing extension, applied research on regional pest management and disease control. A regular series of practical, intensive workshops on introductory beekeeping, integrated pest management and queen production are hosted in various parts of the province from spring to summer. These workshops are highly recommended to beginning and experienced beekeepers alike. The Technology Transfer program gives regular updates on research developments and current best management practices. Access the program on-line at http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com/; email: obatechtransfer@rogers.com or telephone 519-836-3609.

Local Beekeeping Associations

There are currently 25 regional beekeeping associations across Ontario. These associations provide beekeepers with local information on beekeeping conditions and issues. Associations usually hold monthly meetings with guest speakers and discussion forums. The OBA provides a list of local beekeeping associations at the following link: http://www.ontariobee.com/index.php?action=display&cat=8

Townsend Laboratory for Honey Bee Research (University of Guelph)

This laboratory conducts apiculture research in Ontario, addressing issues of honey bee health and pathology with a focus on genetics, biology of honey bee parasites, immunity and behavioural ecology of honey bees. This lab produces scientific research on the fundamentals of apiculture, offers University courses in the field of apiculture and seminars at beekeeper meetings and conferences. A workshop is hosted by the lab every year. For more information visit their webpage at www.uoguelph.ca/ses/content/honey-bee-research-centre/

Wildlife Damage

Assistance with wildlife damage is available to beekeepers in Ontario.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/predation.htm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/honeybeedamage.htm
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise/

Table 1. Pests and Diseases of Honey Bees in Ontario

Category	Example	Prevalence	Severity	Solutions	Resolutions
Viruses	Deformed wing virus Israeli acute paralysis virus Kashmir bee virus Black Queen cell virus Sacbrood	Many honey bee viruses are widely distributed. The presences and levels of particular viruses may vary.	moderate to severe	Although there are no registered treatments specific to viruses, beekeepers may manage virus levels to a certain extent by managing varroa infestations.	workshops treatment recommendations
Bacteria	American foulbrood European foulbrood	widely distributed, less common widely dististributed, less common	highly virulent and contagious manageable	Prevent with antibiotics, inspection, quarantine and destruction of infected equipment. Manage with antibiotics.	inspection program treatment recommendations workshops
Fungi	Chalkbrood Nosema apis Nosema cearanae	widely distributed, common widely distributed, common widely distributed, common	usually a minor pest, rarely serious may be virulent in winter moderate to virulent	Manage by requeening. Manage with antibiotics.	workshops treatment recommendations
Parasitic Mites	Trachial mites Varroa mites Varroa mites resistant to fluvalinate and coumaphos	current distribution unknown widely distributed, common in most regions widely distributed, varies by region	moderate to serious highly virulent, if not managed will kill colony decreases the options for control	Manage with registered chemical treatments and tolerant bee stock. Manage with registered chemical treatments and cultural practices. Treatment options, sampling and monitoring for resistance.	workshops treatment recommendations Ontario breeding stock
Insect Pests	Wax moth Small hive beetle	widely distributed restricted distribution, presently known sites under quarantine	pest of week colonies and equipment pest of weak colonies and honey stores, may have implications for exporting bees to other regions	colony management, best management of equipment storage inspection and permits to prevent spread of pest, colony management, best management practices in the honey extraction facility	workshops inspection program treatment recommendations
Predators (insects and mammals)	fliles, hornets and wasps, mantids, spiders mice, shrews racoons skunks bears	widely distributed widely distributed widely distributed widely distributed more common in northern and forested regions	minimal inpact manageable Racoons, skunks and bears may cause severe damage	limited control, location of beeyards seasonal management best management practices best management practices best management practices	workshops cover all predators best management practices Wildlife Damage Program covers racoons, skunks and bears

Recommended Reading and Additional Resources

• OMAFRA infosheets on honey bee pests and diseases in Ontario http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/apicultu.html
• Ontario Beekeepers Association - Beekeeping in Ontario with an Emphasis on Integrated Pest Management
• Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists - Pest and Disease Manual
• Honey Bee Pests and Disease Images
  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/honeybeepestphotos.htm
• OMAFRA - Treatment Recommendations for Honey Bee Disease and Mite Control
  
• Ontario Beekeepers Association, Technology-Transfer Program - Ontario Beekeeping Manual with an Emphasis on Integrated Pest Management
• Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists - Honey Bee Diseases and Pests
• Technology Transfer Program (Ontario Beekeepers Association)
  http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com/
  Phone: (519) 836-3609
  obatechtransfer@rogers.com
  http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com/index.php?action=display&cat=52&v=76
• Integrated Pest Management Workshops
  http://techtransfer.ontariobee.com/index.php?action=display&cat=55&v=69
• Apiculture Program (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/apicultu.html
• Regional Apiary Inspectors
  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/info_beeinspectors.htm

References

Guzman-Novoa E., Eccles L., Calvete Y., McGowan J., Kelly P. and Correa-Benitez A. 2010. Varroa destructor is the main culprit for death and reduced populations of overwintered honey bees in Ontario, Canada. Apidologie. 4 (4) 443-451.

Contact

Paul Kozak
Provincial Apiarist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Animal Health and Welfare Branch
Tel: 519 826-3595 or 1-888-466-2372 Ext. 63595
Fax: 519 826-3233
Email: Paul.Kozak@ontario.ca