Plant Extracts as Alternative Agents to Control Nosema Ceranae in Honeybees (Apis Mellifera)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58987/p0ht3m80Keywords:
Honeybees, Nosema ceranae, Plant Extracts, Natural ControlAbstract
Nosema ceranae is a serious microsporidian parasite that threatens honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies, and contributes to worldwide losses. Although the antibiotic fumagillin has been the primary treatment, its toxicity, potential for honey contamination, and the emergence of resistant Nosema strains have raised significant regulatory concerns, prompting the search for alternative agents to control Nosema. This study investigated the efficacy of aqueous extracts of Thymus capitatus, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Artemisia herba-alba in reducing N. ceranae infection and improving honeybee health over two seasons (2021–2022). Infected colonies (n = 32) were treated with plant extracts (20 mL/L sugar solution) in three weekly doses. Our results showed significant reductions in N. ceranae spore counts, where the aqueous extract mixture (Thymus, Artemisia, and Rosmarinus) was the most effective, with a mean of 0.25–0.5 infected bees per 25-bee sample vs. 22.5–23 in the control group. Additionally, the mixture enhanced brood area (24.5–26.75 in²) and hive density (9–9.75 frames/hive) compared to individual extracts. These findings highlight the potential of plant derived compounds as natural alternatives for managing Nosema infections, possibly owing to their synergistic antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. Further research is required to identify the active compounds and optimize the formulations for field applications.
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