Journal of Apicultural Research 52(1): (2013) © IBRA 2013 DOI 10.3896/IBRA.1.52.1.13 REVIEW ARTICLE Standard methods for fungal brood disease research Annette Bruun Jensen1*, Kathrine Aronstein2, José Manuel Flores3, Svjetlana Vojvodic4, María 5 6 Alejandra Palacio and Marla Spivak 1Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1817 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. 2Honey Bee Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 2413 E. Hwy. 83, Weslaco, TX 78596, USA. 3Department of Zoology, University of Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales (Ed. C-1), 14071, Córdoba, Spain. 4Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, 1041 E. Lowell Street, PO Box 210106, Tucson, AZ 85721-0106, USA. 5Unidad Integrada INTA – Facultad de Ciencias Ags, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 276,7600 Balcarce, Argentina. 6Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA. Received 1 May 2012, accepted subject to revision 17 July 2012, accepted for publication 12 September 2012. *Corresponding author: Email:
[email protected] Summary 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.