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Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators of agricultural crops and wild plants, especially tomato and sweet pepper species requiring large-sized and buzzing pollinators. The endoparasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri Stammer 1951 (Acari; Podapolipidae) was identified from commercial populations of the introduced European bumblebee Bombus terrestris. We report the genus and species of this mite for the first time in Koran fauna. Identification was based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Morphological details were illustrated and compared with those to the original description. We analyzed partial cytochrome oxidase I gene to understand the phylogenetic relationship and possible source of invention. The maximum likelihood tree and haplotype network revealed that the Korean population is closely related to Japanese population than European population. The ecological significance of this finding and possible consequences of the invasive species to the native species are discussed.

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are considered one of the most important pollinators of native, non-native, and domesticated plants. Pathogens and parasites, such as the tracheal mite Locustacarus buchneri (Podapolipidae), are harmful to bumble bees. We developed primers based on the mitochondrial CO1 gene for the specific detection of L. buchneri directly from samples of native Bombus dahlbomii and non-native B. terrestris and B. ruderatus. PCR products amplified and sequenced for these primers shared 100 % identity among themselves and around 99–100 % identity with other sequences of L. buchneri reported in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Japan. Bombus terrestris was the most infected species (41 %), followed by B. ruderatus (31 %) and B. dahlbomii (23 %). This is the first report involving L. buchneri in native and non-native bumble bees in Chile. Our described PCR-based detection offers a feasible, specific, and rapid method for the screening of L. buchneri in any bumble bee species.

Bombus arıları tarımsal ve doğal ekosistemlerin en önemli tozlaştırıcıları arasındadır. Ancak son yıllarda doğal bombus arısı populasyonları ve tür çeşitliliği bütün dünyada azalmaktadır. Bu durumun nedenlerinden biri olarak patojenler gösterilmektedir. En sık bildirilen bombus arısı patojenleri Nosema bombi,Crithidia bombi, Apicystis bombi mikrosporları ve bir trake akarı olan Locustacarus buchneri’dir. Genellikle bu parazitler koloni kurma, hayatta kalma ve üreme üzerine olumsuz etkilere sahiptirler. Bu nedenle, bombus arısı parazitlerinin doğru bir şekilde tanımlanması çok önemlidir. Günümüzde enfekte bombus arılarını belirlemek amacıyla, güvenilir ve hızlı sonuçlar elde edilen moleküler yöntemler geliĢtirilmiştir. Bu derlemede, bombus arılarında en yaygın görülen parazitler ve moleküler yöntemlerle tespitleri hakkında bilgiler özetlenmiştir. Bumblebees are among the most important pollinators in agricultural and natural ecosystems. On the other hand in recent years, the natural abundance and diversity of bumblebee species is in decline all over the world. One of reasons for this situation is shown as pathogens. The most commonly reported bumblebee protozoan pathogens are the microsporodium Nosema bombi,Crithidia bombi, Apicystisbombi and the tracheal mite, Locustacarus buchneri. Generally,these parasites have detrimental effects on colonization, survival and reproduction. Therefore, the accurately identification and control of bumble bee diseases and parasites are very important. Today, in order to identify infected bumblebees molecular methods have been developed to provide highly sensitive, reliable and fast results. In this review, the most common bumblebees diseases, ways of spread and identified by molecular methods are summarized.

Conservation biology can profit greatly from incorporating a phylogenetic perspective into analyses of patterns and drivers of species extinction risk. We applied such an approach to analyse patterns of bumblebee (Bombus) decline. We assembled a database representing approximately 43% of the circa 260 globally known species, which included species extinction risk assessments following the International Union fo Conservation of Nature Red List categories and criteria, and information on species traits presumably associated with bumblebee decline. We quantified the strength of phylogenetic signal in decline, range size, tongue length and parasite presence. Overall, about one-third of the assessed bumblebees are declining and declining species are not randomly distributed across the Bombus phylogeny. Susceptible species were over-represented in the subgenus Thoracobombus (approx. 64%) and under-represented in the subgenus Pyrobombus (approx. 6%). Phylogenetic logistic regressions revealed that species with small geographical ranges and those in which none of three internal parasites were reported (i.e. Crithidia bombi, Nosema spp. or Locustacarus buchneri) were particularly vulnerable. Bumblebee evolutionary history will be deeply eroded if most species from threatened clades, particularly those stemming from basal nodes, become finally extinct. The habitat of species with restricted distribution should be protected and the importance of pathogen tolerance/ resistance as mechanisms to deal with pathogens needs urgent research. Fil: Arbetman, Marina Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro; Argentina Fil: Gleiser, Gabriela Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Morales, Carolina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Williams, Paul. British Museum (natural History); Reino Unido Fil: Aizen, Marcelo Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Many bumblebee species have been suffering from significant declines across their ranges in the Northern Hemisphere over the last few decades. The remaining populations of the rare species are now often isolated due to habitat fragmentation and have reduced levels of genetic diversity. The persistence of these populations may be threatened by inbreeding depression, which may result in a higher susceptibility to parasites. Here we investigate the relationship between genetic diversity and prevalence of the parasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri in bumblebees, using the previously-studied system of Bombus muscorum and Bombus jonellus in the Western Isles of Scotland. We recorded L. buchneri prevalence in 17 populations of B. muscorum and 13 populations of B. jonellus and related the results to levels of heterozygosity. For B. muscorum, we found that prevalence of the mite was higher in populations with lower genetic diversity but there was no such relationship in the more genetically diverse B. jonellus. In contrast to population-level measures of genetic diversity, the heterozygosity of individual bees was not correlated with infection status. We suggest population-level genetic homogeneity may facilitate parasite transmission and elevate prevalence, with potential consequences for population persistence. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

Nests of social insects are usually inhabited by various mite species that feed on pollen, other micro-arthropods or are parasitic. Well-known negative effects of worldwide economic importance are caused by mites parasitizing honeybee colonies. Lately, attention has focused on the endoparasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri that has been found in commercial bumblebees. However, little is known of other mites associated with commercial bumblebee nests. Transportation of commercial bumblebee colonies with unwanted residents may introduce foreign mite species to new localities. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and species composition of mites associated with commercial bumblebee nests and determined if the mites are foreign species for Poland and for Europe. The study was conducted on 37 commercial bumblebee nests from two companies (Dutch and Israeli), originating from two greenhouses in southern Poland, and on 20 commercial bumblebee colonies obtained directly from suppliers. The species composition and abundance of mites inhabiting commercial bumblebee nests were determined. Seven mite species from three families were found in nests after greenhouse exploitation. The predominant mite species was Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acaridae) that was a 100-fold more numerous than representatives of the family Laelapidae (Hypoaspis marginepilosa, H. hyatti, H. bombicolens). Representatives of Parasitidae (Parasitellus fucorum, P. crinitus, P. ignotus) were least numerous. All identified mite species are common throughout Europe, foreign species were not found. Mites were not detected in nests obtained directly from suppliers. We conclude that probably bumblebee nests are invaded by local mite species during greenhouse exploitation.

The endoparasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri Stammer has been found in commercial bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) and in Japanese native bumblebees. In an infested colony of B. terrestris reared in the laboratory, the mites moved from adult bees to 3rd or 4th instar larvae, where they waited for bees' pupation. We dissected the bee workers that emerged, and counted the numbers of eggs, mobile forms (larviform females and males), and adult females of the mite in the tracheae of the bees. Our results allowed us to roughly estimate that the developmental period from egg to mobile phase of the mites was about 2 weeks (4 weeks after bee emergence). We also revealed that the number of mites in the bee could be positively associated with the bee's age after emergence.

We investigated the prevalence of infestation by the bumblebee tracheal mite, Locustacarus buchneri (Acari: Podapolipidae), in four commercial colonies of Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae). All the foundresses, 91.8±5.67% (mean±SE) of worker bees, 73.9±6.85% of males, and 77.4±21.5% of new queens had the mite in their abdominal air sacs. The mean number of eggs, adult females, and mobile mites infesting a single bumblebee worker were 76.9±76.8 (range: 4–301, n=40), 3.78±3.45 (1–11, 40), and 3.45±2.98 (1–11, 20), respectively. From these values, we calculated the number of eggs per adult mite female to be 23.9±21.7 (range: 4–126, n=40). As a single worker bee had about 76 mites in her abdominal air sacs and approximately 90% of the bees in a colony of about 160 bees were infested by the mite, an infested B. terrestris colony has the potential to produce more than 10,000 L. buchneri individuals during colony development.

We investigated the status of infestation by a tracheal mite, Locustacarus buchneri, in natural populations of a Japanese native bumblebee species, Bombus hypocrita, collected on Hokkaido Island and in the Aomori prefecture between 1997 and 2001. We also investigated mite infestation in commercial colonies of the European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, imported from the Netherlands and Belgium, and the Japanese native species, B. ignitus, imported from the Netherlands, between 1997 and 2001. We detected mites in natural populations of the two B. hypocrita subspecies and in the commercial colonies. Analysis of variations in 535 bp sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene showed that the mite haplotypes in the native populations and in the imported colonies did not overlap in 1997–1999, but in 2000–2001 some mites possessing European CO1 haplotypes were detected in the natural populations of Japanese native bumblebees. In addition, many mites possessing Japanese haplotypes were detected in the imported commercial colonies from Europe. Considering the fact that the Japanese native bumblebees, B. hypocrita, were once exported to Europe for commercialization, these results suggest that bumblebee commercialization has caused overseas migration and cross-infestation of parasitic mites among natural and commercial colonies. However, because the Japanese and European CO1 haplotypes were closely related, there was a possibility that the European haplotypes found in the mites in the Hokkaido Island revealed native variation. To clarify the status of mite invasion, further detailed analysis of genetic variation of the mite, using other genetic markers on additional samples, need to be performed.

Parasites can affect host behavior in subtle but ecologically important ways. In the laboratory, we conducted experiments to determine whether parasitic infection by the intestinal protozoan Crithidia bombi or the tracheal mite Locustacarus buchneri alters the foraging behavior of the bumble bee Bombus impatiens. Using an array of equally rewarding yellow and blue artificial flowers, we measured the foraging rate (flowers visited per minute, flower handling time, and flight time between flowers) and flower constancy (tendency to sequentially visit flowers of the same type) of bees with varying intensities of infection. Bumble bee workers infected with tracheal mites foraged as rapidly as uninfected workers, but were considerably more constant to a single flower type (yellow or blue). In contrast, workers infected with intestinal protozoa showed similar levels of flower constancy, but visited 12% fewer flowers per minute on average than uninfected bees. By altering the foraging behavior of bees, such parasites may influence interactions between plants and pollinators, as well as the reproductive output of bumble bee colonies. Our study is the first to investigate the effects of parasitic protozoa and tracheal mites on the foraging behavior of bumble bees, and provides the first report of Crithidia bombi in commercial bumble bees in North America.

As in other regions of the world, bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators in the neotropics. Despite its relevance, knowledge on their health is still limited in the region. While external acari are known to occur in these insects, presence of the internal, tracheal mite Locustacarus buchneri is here reported for first time. After the examination of 2,508 individuals of eight Bombus species from Argentina, two workers of Bombus bellicosus and one of Bombus atratus were found parasitized by L. buchneri in localities within San Luis and Buenos Aires provinces, respectively. The rare occurrence recorded agrees with findings from elsewhere in the world. Fil: Plischuk, Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina Fil: Pocco. Martina E.. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina Fil: Lange, Carlos E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina

We investigated natural populations of three Japanese native bumblebee species to determine the status of infestation by a tracheal mite, Locustacarus buchneri, which we had earlier detected in introduced commercial colonies of the European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. We also investigated mite infestation in commercial colonies of a Japanese native species, B. ignitus, which are mass-produced in the Netherlands and reimported into Japan. We detected the mite in both natural and commercial colonies of the Japanese species. Comparison of 555 bp sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene from the mite showed that there were seven haplotypes, on the basis of combinations of substitutions at eight sites in the gene. The haplotypes of the mites in the Japanese native bumblebees and the haplotypes of the mites in B. terrestris did not overlap; however, mtDNA of mites detected in the commercial colonies of B. ignitus possessed the same sequence as a European haplotype. These results indicate that transportation of bumblebee colonies will cause overseas migration of parasitic mites of different origins.

The endoparasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri Stammer 1951 (Podapolipidae) was found in commercially introduced colonies of the European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. The average infestation rate of colonies (n=367) from the Netherlands and Belgium was 20%. Urgent investigation of the infectivity and pathogenicity of this mite to Japanese native bumblebees and the geographic distribution of this mite in Japan is required.

Parasitic mites are among the most destructive enemies of social bees. However, aside from mites of honey bees, virtually nothing is known about the prevalence and effects of parasitic mites in natural bee populations. In this paper, we report on parasitism of bumble bees (Bombus spp.) by the tracheal mite Locustacarus buchneri Stammer in south-western Alberta, Canada. Parasitism of bumble bees by L. buchneri occurred at many sites and in several host species. However, L. buchneri appears to be relatively host-species specific as it was found primarily in bumble bee species belonging to the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto. Furthermore, bumble bees containing tracheal mites had significantly reduced lifespans in the laboratory. Implications of parasitism on bumble bee life history are discussed. Bombus / Locustacarus buchneri / parasitism / Podapolipidae / Psithyrus

Several parasites were found affecting foraging bumble bee queens collected in the spring of 1982 and 1983 at three locations in southwestern Virginia. Sphaerularia bombi Dufour (Nematoda: Tylenchida) occurred at low levels in all areas sampled, infestation rates ranging between 1.7 and 7.9% during the 2-year period. Parasitization by Locustacarus buchneri (Stammer) (Acari: Podapolipidae) ranged from 0 to 29.3%, and the mite appeared to be host-specific for Bombus bimaculatus Cresson and Bombus vegans Smith. Gregarious endoparasitic larvae, probably Syntretus sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were seen at levels ranging from 0 to 11.8%. Two types of phoretic mites were also common. Kuzinia americana Delfinado and Baker (Acari: Acaridae) were generally abundant at rates ranging from 12.3 to 69.6%. Parasitus spp. mites (Acari: Parasitidae) were carried by 4.9 to 37.2% of the queens. Bumble bee populations in southwestern Virginia probably are not seriously reduced by any of the parasites or commensals.

Nine genera of the family Podapolipidae are recognized: Bakerpolipus, Chrysomelobia, Dorsipes, Eutarsopolipus, Locustacarus, Podapolipoides, Podapolipus, Tarsopolipus , and Tetrapolipus . Keys to genera are provided for males and larviform females. Two species are recognized in the genus Locustacarus: L. trachealis Ewing and L. buchneri (Stammer). L. locustae Ewing and Podapolipus solitarius Lavoipierre are found to be junior synonyms of L. trachealis (New Synonymy). A key to separate larviform female, male and female specimens of L. trachealis and L. buchneri is given. Biology and ecology of the species are discussed.