The infection of Apis mellifera larvae by Ascosphaera apis
Author(s)
Sally Bamford And L. A. F. Heath
Abstract
Histological studies were made of larvae of Apis mellifera which had been fed sucrose solution containing spores of Ascosphaera apis. Germinated spores were seen in the lumen of the ventriculus. Hyphae developing from these did not colonize the gut contents extensively, but grew directly through the peritrophic membrane and gut epithelium. Unlike the situation in other genera of mycopathogens, the peritrophic membrane did not appear to provide a barrier to infection by A. apis. Subsequently, the mycelium. spread throughout the haemocoel, and after 3 days, the first hyphae were seen to penetrate the integument and grow aerially.
