Author
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Pettis, Jeffery |
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Feldlaufer, Mark |
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Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2005 Publication Date: 8/10/2005 Citation: Pettis, J.S., Feldlaufer, M.F. 2005. Efficacy of tylosin and lincomycin in controlling american foulbrood in honey bee colonies. Journal of Apicultural Research. 44(3):106-108 Interpretive Summary: Honey bee colonies are plagued by a highly contagious bacterial disease called American foulbrood (AFB). Recently the bacteria have developed resistance to the only legal antibiotic used by beekeepers, thereby allowing the disease to become more widespread. We field-tested two new antibiotics for effectiveness in controlling this devastating disease. Both antibiotics were shown to be effective in controlling AFB in colonies with severe AFB infections. This research will lead to safe and effective control measures for AFB and is of great interest to beekeepers in the U. S. and worldwide. Technical Abstract: Two new antibiotics were both shown to be effective in controlling American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) in honey bee colonies. Two dosages, 100 or 200mg of tylosin tartrate or lincomycin hydrochloride were evaluated. Each antibiotic was applied in 20g of confectioners sugar three times seven days apart. The higher 200mg dose of both antibiotics gave consistent control after 45 days. The lower dose of 100mg did not result in complete control in the colonies treated with Tylosin, one of ten colonies still having detectable disease after 45 days. Thus, a dose of 200mg applied three times over three weeks in dust form was highly effective in controlling foulbrood and represents an appropriate dose for either of these two proposed antibiotics for use in honey bee colonies |
