During the last year, there have been large-scaleunexplained losses of honey bee (Apismellifera L.) colonies in
Egypt. This phenomenon is characterized by severe shortages in the population numbers of adult honeybee workers.
Apocephalus borealis fly is suspected of contribution to the decrease in the honeybee population, the infected foragers left
their hives at night and dying shortly thereafter. Honey bee colonies are infected by numerous pathogens and parasites,
the interaction among multiple pathogens and parasites is the proposed cause of the phenomenon represents a recent host
shift and an emerging problem for honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), Phorid fly (Zombie fly) A. borealis,
previously known to parasitize bumble bees.Based on that, many samples of adult bees were collected from different
Governorates in Egypt, the infection with Phorid fly appeared in all collected samples with different infection ratios.
The highest rate of infected colonies was recorded in Qalubia Governorate at 37% but the less incidence of Zombie fly was
found in Minya Gov.at 12%.This is the first record of Zombie fly, Apocephalus borealis appearance on Honeybee,
Apismellifera L. in Egypt. This research was carried out during the period from October 2013 to May 2014. |
