D3160: Immune priming against Varimorpha (Nosema) ceranae infections in honey bee queens

Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae is a very common microsporidian infection that commonly threatens the health of the European honey bee, Apis mellifera. The current treatment of V. ceranae primarily consists of using the antibiotic fumagillin, which has limited efficacy. Recent research has focused on finding sustainable treatments that harness the natural immune system of honey bees. This study aims to extend existing research on immune priming (IP), the process of a host improving its immune defense after initial exposure to the pathogen, in honey bee workers to honey bee queens and explore the viability of transgenerational benefits. We hypothesize that honey bee queens (A. mellifera ligustica) can be immune primed by feeding them V. ceranae spores. We will immune prime the queens by feeding them heat-killed V. ceranae spores as treatment, and then challenge the queens by feeding them with live spores two weeks later. The infection intensities within the queens will be quantified to determine the success of the IP treatment. Transgenerational IP will also be tested in queen offspring reared in small colonies. This research will provide insight into the possibility of using TGIP to improve honey bee queen and worker health.