Behavioral resistance of the Indian hive bee, Apis cerana indica against Thai Sac virus disease to rejuvenate sustainable beekeeping in Karnataka, India
2004
Reddy, M.S.,Bangalore Univ., Bangalore - 500 056 (India). Dept. of Zoology. Bee Div. | Jayaram, G.N. | Nagaraja, N.
Thai sac brood disease (TSBDE) was the first-ever deadly viral disease that devastated more than 85 percent of colonies of Apis cerana indica in India, particularly in Karnataka since the 1980s. However, it is reported that the bee colonies had developed behavioral resistance against the disease through repeated hygienic tests. The intensive field survey was conducted in different agro climatic zones of Karnataka and in adjacent states consisting of more than 1,224 bee colonies during 2000-02. Tolerance tests were also conducted under apiary conditions. It was observed that the Indian bees has developed resistance against the TSB disease with mean resistance value of 20.41 percent. The factors influencing behavioral resistance against the disease and their utility for reviving beekeeping with native species for sustainable development, honey production and increased crop pollination are discussed.
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