Honey bee testing at the Animal Health Laboratory

The AHL offers quantitative detection of honey bee (Apis mellifera) pathogens as a routine testing service.  The test results can be used to identify the presence of pathogens, and to assist in the distinction between low-grade latent infection and high-level infection that can lead to disease and declines in honey bee health.  The quantitative PCR test methods for honey bee pathogens listed below are accredited by Standards Council of Canada (SCC) under the AHL flexible scope for PCR assays, as listed on Lab Services ISO/IEC 17025 SCC scope of accreditation.  These assays include:

• Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV)
• Black queen cell virus (BQCV)
• Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV)
• Deformed wing virus (DWV)
• Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV)
• Kashmir bee virus (KBV)
• Sacbrood virus (SBV)

The AHL also offers:

• Microscopy examination for tracheal mites (Acarapis woodi).
• Visual detection of Varroa mites (Varroa destructor).
• PCR detection and DNA sequencing confirmation for small hive beetles.
• PCR detection of Lotmaria passim, Nosema apis and N. ceranae, Apocephalus borealis.
• Crithidia mellificae PCR.
• Spiroplasma apis, Spiroplasma melliferum PCR.
• Tropilaelaps spp. PCR.
• Culture and PCR detection of Paenibacillus larvae (American Foulbrood).
• Culture and PCR detection of Melissococcus plutonius (European Foulbrood).
• Antimicrobial susceptibility of Paenibacillus larvae.
• Quantitative detection of vitellogenin (a biomarker for honey bee health).

For research project sample testing, please contact the AHL:

Email: ahlinfo@uoguelph.ca [1]

Tel: 1 519-824-4120 Ext. 54611

For field samples submitted through the OMAFA Apiarist or Apiary Inspectors, please contact:

Email: paul.kozak@ontario.ca [2]

Tel: 1 519-820-0821

Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-apiary-program [3]