Nosema Apis Nosema Ceranae

Spore numbers peak in Spring Build up of spore numbers slower and continues
throughout the year

Reinfection decreases when bees can go More constant loss of infected foragers so decreased
outside to defaecate or die food brought into hive

More likely to cause dysentry Unlikely to cause dysentry

Longer lifespan of infected workers Shorter life span of infected workers

Spores bigger and rice grain shaped Spores slightly smaller and more slender

More spores than N Ceranae Fewer spores than N Apis.

Fewer vegetative spores More vegetative spores

Attacks gut epithelium only Attacks epithelium and basal cells of gut

Less immune depression than N Ceranae More immune depression

Seasonal variation Less seasonal variation

Not spread in pollen Spread in Pollen which has been moistened with nectar
from crop of infected bee

Does not infect larvae Can infect larvae

Damaged by heat Not damaged by heat

Not damaged by freezing, can in fact Cannot withstand freezing

become more virulent

Less likely to cause colony collapse More likely to cause colony collapse

Grows at 25C, thrives at 33C, dies at 37C Survives beyond 37C

Bees can ramp up immune system against Immune system suppressed with N Ceranae
N Apis

A few bees go into winter with N apis and

spread this to neighbouring bees in cluster
forming pockets of infection in the cluster.
In spring, infected bees fly out and die

More similar to N vesipula found in wasps.

Different strains give varying virulence

Travels throughout the gut including salivary and

hypopharngeal glands. Infects 20% fat bodies. Does not
infect muscles.

Can go off feed. Can die in midst of plenty.