ABSTRACT
The fungus Ascosphaera apis is the causative agent of chalkbrood disease, leading to heavy losses of honey bees and colony productivity. A. apis affects the brood of honey bees, turning them into a “mummy” that is regarded as a source of infection. Spores seem to always be present in bee colonies at a low level without causing disease symptoms and require predisposing conditions (cool, humid weather, or other stress factors) for the larvae to develop chalkbrood. This chapter consolidates the recent findings focusing on the pathogen’s biology, disease symptoms, and management tactics. The most commonly used research methods, molecular techniques, and in vivo bioassay for culturing and diagnosis, supplemented with micrographs and illustrations, are provided. Because honey bee colonies infected with A. apis often have no visible signs of the disease, early detection is critical for the diagnosis and prevention of disease outbreaks. One important aspect for control of chalkbrood is the presence of a young, hygienic queen for maintaining a strong and healthy colony.
