Spiroplasmas are bacteria with a significant role as pathogens of honey bees. These microrganisms have been registered in Europe, America and Asia, and such infections occur through contaminated food, the sting of Varroa destructor, and vertically.

Spiroplasma apis causes the neurological “May disease” which occurs in Europe, and Spiroplasma melliferum causes the bee crawling disease in China.

Considering the impact of non-specific factors affecting bees, the risk of diseases caused by spiroplasmas is increasing. Therefore studing the sources of spiroplasmas and the factors significant for the infection will be more and more important.

A new paper in the Journal of Apicultural Science summarise this matter. Read it here.