title: Ascosphaera apis, the entomopathogenic fungus affecting larvae of native bees (Xylocopa augusti): First report in South America.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nowadays several invertebrate pollinators of crops and wild plants are in decline as result of multiple and, sometimes, unknown factors; among them, the modern agricultural practices, pests and diseases are postulated as the most important factors. Bees of the genus Xylocopa are considered effective pollinators of passion fruit crops in tropical regions, as well as important pollinators in wild plants, but these bees are attacked by several pathogens that affect different stages in their life cycle. The fungal species of the genus Ascosphaera are commonly associated with social and solitary bee larvae causing chalkbrood disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the presence of Ascosphaera apis affecting larvae of Xylocopa augusti in South America.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this purpose, A. apis was isolated from affected larvae in YGPSA medium. Final identification was run out by three techniques: (1) Microscopic examination of the hyphae and sizes of the fruiting bodies; (2) Mating test, and specific sexual compatibility test, and (3) PCR detection, using specific primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of A. apis affecting larvae of X. augusti in South America.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence of A. apis affecting the larvae of X. augusti, and the fact that the sharing of pathogens between different bee species has been underestimated, suggests the need for further epidemiological studies in order to determine not only the prevalence of this pathogen among wild pollinators, but also its relationship to the sudden collapse of honey bee colonies in this region.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina; Centro Científico Tecnológico-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET) La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. Electronic address: freynaldi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Reynaldi
authors.affiliation: Centro Científico Tecnológico-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET) La Plata, La Plata, Argentina; División de Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucia
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: María L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Genchi Garcia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001516:Bees / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D025301:Hyphae / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013172:Spores, Fungal
keywords: Abeja carpintera; Ascosphaera apis; Entomopathogenic fungus; Hongos entomopatógenos; Large carpenter bee; South America; Sudamérica