Bee researchers say the discovery of a sexually transmitted fungus could affect global breeding programs
August 6, 2015
From: Australian Broadcasting Corporation | Rural
West Australian researchers say the discovery that a bee fungus can be transmitted through sex could have major consequences for worldwide bee breeding programs.
Scientists from the Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) at the University of Western Australia found that a fungus that causes dysentery in bees, known as Nosema apis, can be sexually transmitted from affected male worker bees to the queen.
Nosema apis can reduce productivity in honey bees because sick male bees are less likely to leave the hive to collect pollen than healthy bees.
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