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Apiculture is an important economy sector, facing a real health crisis. Honeybees, as well as other insect pollinator populations have been in decline over recent decades, and diseases are one of the principal challenges. To face this situation, public and private veterinary services are needed to manage surveillance, control, eradication and prevention measures of honeybee diseases within their territories, in close collaboration with beekeepers and farmers. It is necessary urgently to clarify the current problems and threats to apiculture in the public health sector. Due to possible interactions between bee health and production, the negative effects of environmental xenobiotics and climate change, this field must be considered as an interdisciplinary research issue. Moreover, honeybee veterinary medicine is increasingly engaged in the One Health approach, due to the possibility that the poor health of honeybee colonies affects human life. This review identified the key veterinarian roles, gaps in their higher education curriculum, as well as the necessity for research linkage between expectations and professional perspectives., Pčelarstvo je važan sektor gospodarstva koji se suočava sa zdravstvenom krizom. Zajednice medonosne pčele, kao i populacije drugih kukaca oprašivača se smanjuju posljednjih desetljeća. Bolesti se smatraju jednim od glavnih uzroka gubitaka u pčelarstvu. Kako bi se suočili s tim problemom potrebno je povoditi veterinarski nadzor, kontroliranje, suzbijanje i preveniranje bolesti pčela uključivanjem javnih i privatnih veterinarskih organizacija na području njihova djelovanja i u bliskoj suradnji s pčelarima i poljoprivrednicima. Nužno je potrebno osvijestiti aktualnu problematiku i ugroženost pčelarstva u javnozdravstvenom sektoru. Zbog mogućih negativnih učinaka ksenobiotika iz okoliša i klimatskih promjena na zdravlje i proizvodnju pčelinjih zajednica ovo područje zahtjeva provedbu intradisciplinarnih istraživanja. Štoviše, veterinarska medicina u području zdravlja zajednica medonosne pčele zauzima iznimno važan pristup Jednog zdravlja upravo zbog mogućnosti da narušeno zdravlje pčelinjih zajednica može negativno utjecati na zdravlje ljudi. U ovom radu istaknute su glavne uloge veterinara u pčelarstvu, nedostatci u kurikulima studijskih programa veterinarske medicine visokoobrazovnih ustanova i nužnosti provedbe istraživanja koja povezuju očekivanja i stručne perspektive.

Med je kompleksan prirodni pčelinji proizvod dobro znan po nutritivnoj i zdravstvenoj dobrobiti te se smatra zdravom i funkcionalnom hranom. Sastav meda ovisi o njegovom botaničkom i zemljopisnom podrijetlu, uključujući različite ekološke aspekte područja koje koriste pčelinje zajednice. Prema europskom zakonodavstvu, na svim proizvodima od meda mora biti navedeno botaničko i zemljopisno podrijetlo proizvoda. Stoga su uloženi značajni napori da se med karakterizira i razlikuje prema zemljopisnom podrijetlu korištenjem konvencionalnih fizikalno-kemijskih parametara, parametara boje i drugih markera, kao što su esencijalni i neesencijalni elementi, ukupni sadržaj fenola i odabranih fenolnih spojeva, organske kiseline, hlapljivi spojevi, itd. Dosadašnja istraživanja u Hrvatskoj i drugim zemljama pokazala su razlike u koncentracijama elemenata iste vrste meda obzirom na geografsko podrijetlo. U ovom istraživanju med od kadulje karakteriziran je i diferenciran prema geografskom podrijetlu na temelju odabranih elemenata. Kaduljin med (Salvia officinalis) prikupljen je tijekom pčelarske sezone 2021. godine na četiri otočne lokacije: Krk (Stara Baška), Lošinj (Nerezine), Pag (Šimuni) i Kornat (Vrulje). Koncentracije Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Se i Zn izmjerene su pomoću induktivno spregnute plazma-masene spektroskopije (ICP-MS). Koncentracije najzastupljenijih elemenata padale su redosljedom: K > Ca > Na > Mg. Krčki med od kadulje pokazao je najveću koncentraciju Al (0, 93 mg/kg), Cr (14, 0 µg/kg), Mn (0, 26 mg/kg) i Na (20, 8 mg/kg). U lošinjskom medu izmjerene su najviše Ni (191, 3 µg/kg), Fe (1, 30 mg/kg), K (1239, 1 mg/kg), Mg (16, 6 mg/kg), Se (5, 70 µg/kg) i Zn (0, 84 mg/kg). Najveću koncentraciju Ca (61, 6 mg/kg) i Cu (0, 45 mg/kg) imao je paški med. U medu od kadulje s Kornata nije pronađen Cr te je ovaj med okarakteriziran sa najnižim koncentracijama svih mjerenih elemenata. Nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razlike u koncentracijama Al, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni i Se između četiri otočne lokacije. Međutim, značajne razlike u koncentracijama utvrđene su za Ca, Cu, K, Na i Zn (p

Nosemosis is a microsporidian disease causing mortality and weakening of honey bee colonies, especially in the event of co-exposure to other sources of stress. As a result, the disease is regulated in some countries. Reliable and harmonised diagnosis is crucial to ensure the quality of surveillance and research results. For this reason, the first European Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) was organised in 2017 in order to assess both the methods and the results obtained by National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in counting Nosema spp. spores by microscopy. Implementing their own routine conditions of analysis, the 23 participants were asked to perform an assay on & nbsp;a & nbsp;panel of ten positive and negative samples of crushed honey bee abdomens. They were asked to report results from a qualitative and quantitative standpoint. The assessment covered specificity, sensitivity, trueness and precision. Quantitative results were analysed in compliance with international standards NF ISO 13528 (2015) and NF ISO 5725-2 (1994). Three results showed a lack of precision and five a lack of trueness. However, overall results indicated a global specificity of 98% and a global sensitivity of 100%, thus demonstrating the advanced performance of the microscopic methods applied to Nosema spores by the NRLs. Therefore, the study concluded that using microscopy to detect and quantify spores of Nosema spp. was reliable and valid.panel of ten positive and negative samples of crushed honey bee abdomens. They were asked to report results from a qualitative and quantitative standpoint. The assessment covered specificity, sensitivity, trueness and precision. Quantitative results were analysed in compliance with international standards NF ISO 13528 (2015) and NF ISO 5725-2 (1994). Three results showed a lack of precision and five a lack of trueness. However, overall results indicated a global specificity of 98% and a global sensitivity of 100%, thus demonstrating the advanced performance of the microscopic methods applied to Nosema spores by the NRLs. Therefore, the study concluded

Different brood interruption methods combined with chemical treatment may successfully remove most V. destructor from the honey bee colonies. Further, the timely brood reduction or break may positively impact nectar intake and is occasionally used by beekeepers during the main spring flow to increase honey production. However, the experience and data on the effect of brood break on honey production during the main summer flow are scarce or contradictory. To try to find an answer, several Varroa Task Force members started an experiment in 2021. The study takes place at 10 apiaries in 7 countries (Algeria, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Spain and Turkey). At each location, three different groups with at least 5 colonies per group were established. In two groups, queens were confined for 28 days in a small cage 28 (QC1) or 14 (QC2) days before the expected main summer honey harvest. The third group (C) of colonies had free laying queens to serve as a control group. In total 207 colonies are included in this year study. All colonies were evaluated for strength (number of frames with bees and brood) every 14 days after the experiment started. The net weight of extracted honey for each colony was measured. Adult bee infestation was measured at the beginning of the experiment and 42 days after the treatment of the control group. Queen caging groups were treated by OA trickling 28 days from the day of queens’ caging. The C group was treated by each partner using usual practices. At the beginning of experiment, there was no difference in colony strength between groups (ANOVA, F (2, 206) = 0.030, p = 0.971). A number of frames occupied with bees was significantly lower in QC groups comparing to C group 42 days after the caging but not 56 days after caging. Briefly, they started and finished with equal strength. Further, there was no significant difference in adult bee infestation at the beginning of the trial. However, at the last measurement (42 days after the treatment of QC1 and C group and 28 days after the treatment of QC2 group) significant differences are found (H = 12.825, p = 0.002). Namely, QC1 group had lower infestation comparing to C group. In the analysis of honey production, apiary and group as fixed factors were used in the model. Apiary as a factor had significant effect (GLM, F (9, 206) = 64.921, p < 0.001) with wide distribution of extracted honey between apiaries (average from 1.45 kg to 29.50 kg/apiary). Significant differences between groups are found (F (2, 206) = 4, 556, p=0.012), with group QC1 having lower amount of extracted honey comparing to QC2 and C groups. No significant differences were found between QC2 and C group. Preliminary results showed that QC1 group had a significantly lower final infestation, as well as honey production. On the other hand, QC2 group had the same amount of produced honey and final infestation as a control group. Measurements of colony strength before and after wintering period are planned.

Effective microorganisms (commercially available as EM-1® and its secondary products, EMRO, Japan) are a mixed culture of microorganisms with a beneficial effect on nature, including humans, animals, plants and other microbial species. It is known that EM contains more than 80 species of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms such as photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes, etc. They have been used in agriculture, forestry, animal production, environmental protection, and medicine. Effective microorganism technology is used in more than 130 countries worldwide, being included in the state program for organic farming and healthy food production in 12 countries. The technology is natural and organic involving growing, applying, managing and activation of native microorganisms in the environment. It has been shown that EM application promotes positive changes in the water ecosystem by increasing decomposition of organic matter and diversity of phytoplankton, and reducing total nitrogen, phosphate, pesticide and heavy metal concentrations. Also, EM has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in water and soil, and to reduce the concentrations of harmful gases in air. Moreover, the number of insect pollinators is falling constantly due to the use of pesticides and climatic changes, and EM raises honeybee immunity and protects their health. The ever-greater economic and industrial growth is leading to the environmental pollution, including water, soil and air. These problems require seeking for solutions other than the known physical and chemical technologies. Therefore, an environmentally friendly, safe, and relatively inexpensive way of protecting the environment is the use of biologically active substances such as EM to achieve positive synergistic effects with beneficial microorganisms already existing in nature.

Assessment of colony infestation by Varroa destructor is a crucial part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) applied to beekeeping. Natural mite fall, quantified by counting the mites on sticky sheets, is considered a reference method to estimate varroa infestation level in honey bee colonies. However, in recent years, alternative methods that can be used in field conditions have been investigated. In this paper, we report the results of the evaluation of two different methods to estimate the levels of varroa infestation. The experiment involved 151 honey bee colonies in nine apiaries of four countries (Algeria, Croatia, Italy, Poland). After the main honey flow, we compared the 10-day natural mite fall and the powdered sugar roll methods with the varroa population in each colony. According to our results, the powdered sugar roll method could be suggested to beekeepers as a suitable IPM tool for varroa control, while natural mite fall represents a more accurate method that could be adopted for selection/research purposes.

Varroosis is caused by parisitic mite Varroa destructor. It causes major economic losses worldwide to the beekeeping sector, so it is necessary to regularly monitor and control mite infestation levels in honeybee colonies. The V. destructor mite contributes to weakening and immunosuppresion of colonies what can increase the susceptibility to other diseases. Despite the existence of many control measures, there is a need for implementation of new management practices that would be based on adopting specific biotechnical methods in combination with soft acaricides treatment. One health approach requires achieving a reduction in the V. destructor mites number, and at the same time ensure safe production of honey and other honeybee products which are food for humans. Brood interruption consists of various methods that artificially stop the queen egg laying and consequently induce the absence of brood during summer months. This is increasing the anti-varroa treatments efficiency. Experience acquired from seasonal brood interruption studies showed that queen caging with combined oxalic acid treatment presents an effective treatment. As efficiency of same treatment vary in different geographical areas and pastures, for first time it is implemented during chestnut pasture, in continental part of Croatia. This way of integrated pest management can be successfully implemented in studied area, but it is necessary to pay attention on satisfactory natural food sources to enable development of strong bees population which will survive the winter.

Zajednice medonosne pčele podložne su invazijama brojnih nametnika i infekcijama različitim patogenim mikroorganizmima, a prema kojima reagiraju nizom obrambenih mehanizama na pojedinačnoj razini, ali i na razini zajednice. Različiti obrasci ponašanja pčelinje zajednice kojima ona odgovara na ponovljene infekcije ili invazije patogenim mikroorganizmima i/ili nametnicima nazvani su socijalna imunost ili imunost zajednice. Pojedinačni članovi medonosne zajednice (radilice, trutovi, matica) svih dobnih skupina imaju razvijene obrambene mehanizme za ograničavanje negativnih utjecaja patogenih uzročnika bolesti.

Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) at the operating frequencies of different communication devices can cause various biological effects. However, there is a lack of studies on the oxidative stress response and genotoxicity in the honey bee (Apis mellifera) after exposure to RF-EMF. In this study, we investigated the oxidative stress and DNA damage in honey bee larvae situated in waxcomb cells, exposed to modulated RF-EMF 23 Vm-1. The glutathione S-transferase activity decreased, whereas the catalase activity increased significantly in the honey bee larvae upon RF-EMF exposure. Superoxide dismutase activity, the level of lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage were not statistically altered in exposed honey bee larvae when compared to the control group. These results suggest that the biological effects of modulated RF-EMF in honey bee larvae depend on the exposure design., Izloženost radiofrekvencijskom elektromagnetskom polju (RF-EMF) na radnoj frekvenciji različitih komunikacijskih uređaja može imati razne biološke učinke. Nedostaju istraživanja odgovora na oksidacijski stres i genotoksičnost u medonosne pčele (Apis mellifera) poslije izloženosti RF-EMF-u. U ovom je radu istražen oksidacijski stres i DNA oštećenja u ličinkama medonosnih pčela smještenih u stanicama saća i izloženih modulirajućem RF-EMF 23 Vm-1. Aktivnost glutation S-transferaze smanjena je, dok je aktivnost katalaze značajno povećana u ličinkama medonosnih pčela izloženih RF-EMF-u. Nije bilo statistički značajne promjene u aktivnosti superoksid-dismutaze, razini lipidne peroksidacije i DNA oštećenju između ličinaka medonosne pčele i kontrolne skupine. Ovi rezultati pokazuju da biološki učinci modulirajućeg RF-EMF u ličinkama medonosne pčele ovise o oblikovanju izloženosti.

U predgovoru udžbenika naglašava se veliku gospodarsku važnost pčelarstva, te da je upravo medonosna pčela simbol načela One World – One Health. Kao vrstu mora ju se promatrati s obzirom na njezine specifičnosti, koje se uvelike razlikuju od drugih vrsta uzgajanih životinja. Pčelinja zajednica ovisna je o utjecaju čimbenika iz okoliša i pogođena tzv. zdravstvenom krizom koja bi mogla dovesti do narušavanja prehrane, dobrobiti i općenito života ljudi. Zato je iznimno bitno uključivanje veterinarske struke u sve aspekte zaštite zdravlja zajednica medonosne pčele.

After proper sanitation of apiary with clinical visable outbreak, the disinfection of beekeeping beekeeping equipment and enviromnent is crucuial preventive masure of disease reappearance. As general chemical disinfectants are often recommended, the aim of this work was to analyse efficacy of commercial disinfectants Sekusept Aktiv and Incidin Oxy Wipe S.

Teški se metali mogu desetljećima kumulirati u vosku. Uobičajena je pčelarska praksa vosak kontinuirano prerađivati u nove satne osnove i ponovno ga upotrebljavati u intenzivnom pčelarstvu. Uzorci pčelinjeg voska analizirani su primjenom grafitne tehnike atomske apsorpcijske spektrometrije (GFAAS) s ciljem utvrđivanja koncentracije As i Cd te koncentracija Hg primjenom analizatora žive. Pretraženi su uzorci voska poznatog podrijetla i starosti tijekom njegove prerade u satne osnove primjenom metode lijevanja na rashlađene valjke s otisnutom Maraldijevom piramidom, a nakon dvostruke faze produžene sedimentacije i hlađenja. Ustvrđene su statistički značajne razlike između koncentracija Hg (P, Heavy metals can accumulate in beeswax for decades. In modern beekeeping is common practice to continuously recycle wax from old honeycombs to new honeycomb foundations. Beeswax samples were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) for As and Cd, and using a mercury analyser for Hg. Samples of beeswax of known origin and stand age were taken during the production of beeswax foundations, using casting technology with a doubled prolonged cooling and sedimentation phase. Significant differences were determined in concentrations of Hg (P

Nosema disease is a parasitic disease of adult honeybees caused by microsporidia from the genus Nosema. It has detrimental effects on strength, productivity and immune suppression of honeybee colonies, so an appropriate control of this disease is advisable. Effective microorganisms are combinations of numerous species of useful microbes, which are widely used in different fields. As a novel approach in therapy, we hypothesize the EM® PROBIOTIC for beekeeping usage could play an important role in suppression of Nosema spp. invasion and in stimulating synthesis of vitellogenin which has impact in immunological responses and pathogen defense at both, the individual and honeybee colony level. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of additional feeding of honeybee colonies with the EM® PROBIOTIC for beekeeping usage on the previously mentioned parameters. Honeybee colonies fed probiotic were given sugar solution, with three different dilutions (2.5% ; 5% ; 10%) of commercial probiotic called EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES. Sampling of workers hemolymph was performed 13th and 22nd day after initial feeding. The number of Nosema spp. spores was determined by counting spores using Malassez hemocytometer and concentrations of vitellogenin in hemolymph samples were determined by MyBioSource elisa kit using spectrophotometer. Results showed that concentrations of vitellogenin were increased and significantly different (p