Soroker, V., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Hetzroni, A., Department of Sensing, Information and Mechanization Engineering, Volcani Center, 50250 POB 6 Bet Dagan, Israel
Yakobson, B., Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
David, D., Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
David, A., Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
Voet, H., Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12 Rehovot 76100, Israel
Slabezki, Y., Extension Service Ministry of Agriculture, Israel
Efrat, H., Extension Service Ministry of Agriculture, Israel
Levski, S., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Kamer, Y., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Klinberg, E., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Zioni, N., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Inbar, S., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Chejanovsky, N., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Hetzroni, A., Department of Sensing, Information and Mechanization Engineering, Volcani Center, 50250 POB 6 Bet Dagan, Israel
Yakobson, B., Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
David, D., Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
David, A., Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israel
Voet, H., Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12 Rehovot 76100, Israel
Slabezki, Y., Extension Service Ministry of Agriculture, Israel
Efrat, H., Extension Service Ministry of Agriculture, Israel
Levski, S., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Kamer, Y., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Klinberg, E., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Zioni, N., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Inbar, S., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Chejanovsky, N., Department of Entomology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, POB 6 Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
To evaluate symptoms, extent, and possible causes of colony decline and losses in Israel, we carried out (1) a survey of honeybee colony losses and potential causes via mail and phone; (2) systematic sampling of healthy and problematic beehives after requeening in the winter; (3) detection of Varroa and pathogens including, viruses and Nosema ceranae, by microbiological means and sensitive RT-PCR. From 58 beekeepers (46 000 colonies) interviewed, 40% complained of extensive colony loses during 2008. Examination and sampling for pests and pathogens of 113 hives in the winter of 2009 showed 35% of hives with Nosema and 21% with V. destructor. The most frequent viruses detected were Black Queen Cell Virus, Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, and Deformed Wing Virus. A significant negative correlation was found between worker population in the hive and the presence of viral and Nosema infections. © INRA/DIB-AGIB/EDP Sciences, 2010.
