title: Survey of bumble bee (Bombus) pathogens and parasites in Illinois and selected areas of northern California and southern Oregon.
abstract: Pathogens have been implicated as potential factors in the recent decline of some North American bumble bee (Bombus) species, but little information has been reported about the natural enemy complex of bumble bees in the United States. We targeted bumble bee populations in a state-wide survey in Illinois and several sites in California and Oregon where declines have been reported to determine presence and prevalence of natural enemies. Based on our observations, most parasites and pathogens appear to be widespread generalists among bumble bee species, but susceptibility to some natural enemies appeared to vary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Christina N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kissinger
authors.forename: Sydney A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Robbin W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Thorp
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Leellen F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Solter
mesh_terms: D056893:Alveolata / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002140:California; D003421:Crithidia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007087:Illinois; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology; D016818:Nosema / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009922:Oregon; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013045:Species Specificity