Characterization Of The Causative Agent Of Chalkobroood Disease Of Honeybee Brood (apls Melliferal.) In Ethiopia

Chalkbrood disease is an invasive mycosis of honeybee larvae (Apis mellifera L) causedrnby Ascosphaera apis (Maassen ex Claussen) Spiltoir and Olive (1955). The causativernagent of this disease occurs in most bee keeping countries of the world. This study aimsrnto characterize the causative agent of the disease and compares it with reference strainrn(MUCL 34668). The mummies were surface disinfected and inoculated onto SabouardsrnDextrose Agar for macroscopic and microscopic identification. The local isolates werernalso compared with the reference strain, assayed for proteolytic ability, toxicity, andrnvirulence on honeybee larvae in the laboratory and in the hive. Microbiological analysisrnof 45 samples of dead honeybee larvae collected from the regions during 2004-2006rnyielded 28 positive cases for chalkbrood disease incidence (62.22%). Spore cyst, sporernball, and ascospores length to width ratios measured with phase contrast invertedrncomputer fitted microscope were 66.15 –97.66 m, 11.00 –19.27 m and 2.00-2.95 m,rnrespectively. The measurements obtained and examination results enabled us to confirmrnthat the local isolates belongs to the genus Ascosphaera and to the species Ascosphaerarnapis.rnKey words: Chalkbrood disease, Ascosphaera apis, spore cyst, spore ball, Ascospores,rnApis mellifera.

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