MICROFLORA IN THE HONEYBEE DIGESTIVE-TRACT - COUNTS, CHARACTERISTICS AND SENSITIVITY TO VETERINARY DRUGS

Experiments were carried out to enumerate and characterize the microor ganisms in the midgut and rectum of the honeybee. Counts of aerobic mi croorganisms were distinctly lower than counts of anaerobes (10(4)-10( 5) viable cells per gram of intestinal contents versus 10(8)-10(9) per gram). Total numbers of anaerobic microorganisms were almost identica l with counts of anaerobic Gram-positive acidoresistant rods. These ba cteria represent the principal groups of microorganisms in the bee dig estive tract. Anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms, lactobacilli, coli forms, staphylococci, Bacillus sp, and yeasts were found in all bees. Only one out of 31 isolates (Bifidobacterium asteroides) was identifie d at the species level. Fluvalinate, fumagillin and nystatin significa ntly increased mortality of bees. Treated bees kept in cages contained more yeasts than control bees in the beehive. The veterinary drugs te sted significantly increased counts of yeasts in comparison with the c ontrol.