The Canadian Entomologist (1997) 129, 1059-1065

M.S. Goettel, G.M. Duke and D.W. Goerzen (1997)
Pathogenicity of Ascosphaera larvis to larvae of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata
The Canadian Entomologist 129 (6), 1059-1065
Abstract: Laboratory assays and field surveys showed that Ascosphaera larvis (Bissett) is a pathogen of alfalfa leafcutting bee larvae, capable of causing high mortality in commercial populations. In one population, over 21% of bees were found to be infected by A. larvis. However, overall levels of the disease are low and it is unlikely that this pathogen poses an immediate threat to commercial leafcutting bee populations in Canada. The LD₅₀ was determined to be 1.9 × 10⁵ spores/bee. Elevated levels of CO₂ are required for in vitro spore germination. The disease can easily be diagnosed within bee cells by X-ray radiography, thereby enabling disease levels to be monitored using conventional methods utilized by the industry to monitor leafcutting bee quality.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Mark S. Goettel

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ascosphaera larvis		Canada (west)
	Ascosphaera aggregata