Honeybee Microsporidian

Nosema ceranae

📸

Image placeholder

Add your own image here

Edibility inedible

Phylum Microsporidia

Family Nosematidae

Conservation Major threat to honeybee conservation and agriculture

Complete Taxonomy

Kingdom: Fungi

Phylum: Microsporidia

Class: Microsporea

Order: Dissociodihaplophasida

Family: Nosematidae

Genus: Nosema

Species: N. ceranae

Description

Nosema ceranae is an obligate intracellular parasite of honeybees, causing nosemosis. Originally infecting Asian honeybees, it has spread globally, now affecting European honeybees with significant impacts on colony health and productivity. This microsporidian contributes to colony collapse disorder and represents a major threat to apiculture worldwide.

Physical Characteristics

Cap Shape: Microscopic spores

Cap Color: Not visible

Size: Spores 4-6 micrometers

Gill Attachment: N/A

Spore Print: N/A

Stipe: Intracellular parasite with polar tube for infection

Habitat: Honeybee digestive tract

Fruiting Season: Continuous in infected bees

Distribution

Worldwide pandemic in honeybee populations

Habitat

Obligate parasite of honeybee (Apis mellifera and A. cerana) gut epithelium.

Ecological Role

Honeybee parasite reducing colony fitness and productivity. Contributes to colony losses worldwide.

Cultural Significance

Major concern in beekeeping and agriculture. Economic impact on honey production and crop pollination. Research focus for bee health.

Fascinating Facts

Jumped from Asian to European honeybees
Major contributor to colony collapse disorder
Reduces bee lifespan and queen productivity
Spreads rapidly within and between hives
No fully effective treatment available
Economic losses in billions globally
Infects gut cells via polar tube injection
Can produce millions of spores per bee