Dispersal of<i>Erwinia amylovora</i>and<i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i>by Honey Bees from Hives to Apple and Pear Blossoms

Abstract

Ability of honey bees (Apis meffirera) to disperse the fire blight pathogen, Erwinia amylovora strain 153nal R , and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain PfA506, a biocontrol agent for fire blight, from their hives to pistilate surfaces of pome fruit blossoms was investigated. Two hives, one to disperse Ea153nal R and the other to disperse PfA506, were placed in an apple orchard of cultivar Rome (1990 and 1991) or Golden Delicious (1992) during bloom. Pollen inserts were attached to each hive, which forced the bees to walk through a freeze-dried preparation of either bacterium as they exited [...]