The effect of temperature on Nosema apis Zander (Microsporida, Nosematidae) infection in honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Newly emerged honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica L.) workers infected indivi dually with Nosema apis Z. spores were divided into three groups and kepi i n incubators at 25 degrees, 30 degrees or 35 degrees C. After 48 h all work ers were kept at 30 degrees C. The numbers of parasite spores in individual bees were counted in all groups on the 11th, 16th, 21st and 26th days of l ife. Generally higher numbers of spores were observed in workers infected a t 25 degrees C. However, the numbers in workers infected at extreme tempera tures (25 degrees and 35 degrees C) differed significantly. Choosing suitab le temperature conditions might be employed by infected bees to reduce the parasite's fitness and prolong their life spans.