Standard methods for fungal brood disease research.

[allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis]

Chalkbrood and stonebrood are two fungal diseases associated with honey bee brood . Chalkbrood , caused by Ascosphaera apis , is a common and widespread disease that can result in severe reduction of emerging worker bees and thus overall colony productivity . Stonebrood is caused by Aspergillus spp . that are rarely observed , so the impact on colony health is not very well understood . A major concern with the presence of Aspergillus in honey bees is the production of airborne conidia , which can lead to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis , pulmonary aspergilloma , or even invasive aspergillosis in lung tissues upon inhalation by humans . In the current chapter we describe the honey bee disease symptoms of these fungal pathogens . In addition , we provide research methodologies and protocols for isolating and culturing , in vivo and in vitro assays that are commonly used to study these host pathogen interactions . We give guidelines on the preferred methods used in current research and the application of molecular techniques . We have added photographs , drawings and illustrations to assist bee-extension personnel and bee scientists in the control of these two diseases .