Objective
Bumblebee rearing for pollination is a necessary tool for farming of many crops. In spite of observations of microsporidian infections in 14 different bumblebee species, only one microsporidium, Norseman bomb, has been described from bumblebees. For production of bumblebee colonies it is essential to know the causative agents of disease for proper control. To avoid introduction of novel or non-endemic parasites into new areas or host species, it is vital to study Microsporidia in bumble bees (colonies are transported over long distances). We wish to document Microsporidia diversity in bumblebees, study cross-infectivity across species, costs they exert on their hosts and examine patterns of clad genesis between Microsporidia and their hosts. Further, we wish to develop a PCR-based tool for Microsporidia detection, document infection incidence in the field and in rearing operations and develop effective control strategies
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
750 07 Uppsala
Sweden