Monitoring & deceases prevention program
One of our main objectives is an implementation of OIE recommendations in commercial apiaries in Georgia. With support of National Food Agency of Georgia and Goldbee Apiaries LLC we are developing monitoring & deceases prevention program. In collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture (Technical University of Georgia) we are developing education and veterinary consultation programs to support beekeeping in the country.
Our primary focus is on monitoring & prevention of most dangerous decease and pests:
AMERICAN FOULBROOD (Terrestrial Manual. Chapter 3.02.02)
American foulbrood (AFB) caused by Paenibacillus larvae is highly dangerous decease which occurs throughout the world. It affects the larval stage of the honey bee Apis. The spores are extremely resistant to heat and chemical agents, and can survive for many years in scales (from diseased dead brood), hive products and equipment.
 American Foulbrood |
 American Foulbrood |
EUROPEAN FOULBROOD (Terrestrial Manual. Chapter 3.02.03)
The causal organism of European foulbrood of honey bees is the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius. The identification of its presence by the observation of signs of disease in the field is unreliable.
A single-step conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a hemi-nested PCR are available. Real-time PCRs have also been developed. These methods permit direct analysis of larvae, adult bees and honey bee products
 European Foulbrood |
 European Foulbrood |
SMALL HIVE BEETLE (Terrestrial Manual. Chapter 3.02.05)
The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, is a parasite and predator of honey bees. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, however, the beetle has been found in various regions of the world over the past few decades. Aethina tumida was first detected in the United States of America in 1996. Since then it has spread to Canada and a number of countries in South and Central America. Aethina tumida has also been found in Australia, Egypt, Italy, Korea and the Philippines (OIE WAHIS Interface, database accessed on 20/06/2017; Lee et al., 2017). The beetle can cause considerable damage to colonies of European subspecies of honey bees. Because of its rapid spread, the small hive beetle is studied increasingly, both for its economic importance and biological significance. There is no occurrence of Small Hive Beetle in Georgia, however monitoring & prevention program is welcomed in commercial apiaries.
 Dorsal view of an adult male Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida Murray. (Photographer Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida) |
 Aetina Tumida (Photographer Jessica Louque) |
TROPILAELAPS SPP (Terrestrial Manual. Chapter 3.02.06)
The mites in the genus Tropilaelaps are parasites of honey bee brood. Tropilaelaps clareae occurs in Asia where it is a parasite of the native honey bee. Feeding on bee larvae and pupae causes brood malformation, death of bees and subsequent colony decline or absconding. An infestation by Tropilaelaps can be recognized either visually on bees or by examining hive debris. There is no occurrence of TROPILAELAPS SPP in Georgia, however monitoring & prevention program is welcomed in commercial apiaries.
 TROPILAELAPS SPP |
 TROPILAELAPS SPP |
