I

ANNO 3 Numero 2
Mariano Higes [1], Raquel Martin [1], Alberto Sanz [1], Noemi Alvarez [1], Angel Sanz [1], Maria del Pilar Garcia [2], Aranzazu Meana [2]

The bee losses syndrome in Spain

[1] Centro Apicola Regional, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla - La Mancha, Spain
[2] Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universitad Complutense de Madrid, Spain

Corresponding author: mhiges@jccm.es

In this paper we present a synopsis of the most recent research carried out by our working group concerning the origin of the so-called “bee losses syndrome”, which has been affecting Spanish beekeeping over the past few years.
The most relevant finding is the detection, for the first time in Spain (and in Europe), of the microsporidium Nosema ceranae, parasite of Apis mellifera, in the hives affected by bee losses.

The presence of this parasite in our hives could be the explanation of the characteristic symptomatology observed in hives affected by this syndrome. It is however necessary to carry out studies to investigate the relation between the bee losses syndrome and this new parasite and to examine its epizootiology.