Micro-organisms associated with developmental stages of honeybees, Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L.

Honeybee, Apis cerana F. and Apis mellifera L. colonies were screened to segregate mite (Tropilaelaps clareae) infested and healthy colonies. A group of three experimental colonies each in the case of infested and healthy honeybees were maintained 20 m apart with 3 m inter colony distance. Samples of life stages at egg, larva and pupa were drawn at age 0, 6 and 16 day respectively of brood development and adult bees of more than 5 day age were investigated for the species composition of microflora. Nutrient agar medium (NA) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) were used as primary culture media for isolating bacteria and fungi. Results revealed fungi in 55–60% larvae and 8–10% adult bees and bacteria in 100% adults, 8–10% larvae and 4 -5% pupae in both the species of honey bees infested with T. clareae. Eggs did not indicate the presence of microorganisms. The microflora of larval and pupal stages in the mite infested colonies was higher and most varied as compared to the healthy colonies indicating that T. clareae infestation affects the composition of associated microorganisms.