Nosema ceranae is a microsporidian parasite that infects the midgut of honeybees. N. ceranae invades the epithelial cells of the bee midgut and as it’s dependent on its honeybee host for its energy source, it causes debilitating energetic stress [1]. For individual honeybees, Nosema infections have symptoms which include shortened lifespans and weakened immune function. On the scale of a colony, the symptoms of Nosema infections greatly decrease hive productivity and contribute to colony failure [2] [3] [4].

Unfortunately, N. ceranae has recently spread to the major commercial honeybee species—the Western honeybee, Apis mellifera—and is now regarded as the dominant Nosema species infecting honey bees globally [6]. Through our conversations with Albertan beekeepers, we found that N. ceranae is a constant issue but when there is an outbreak it can lead to unsustainable rates of death. Some report over 80% hive loss due to Nosema. Nosema is also especially pervasive in cold climates, like the one found in Alberta, as colder temperatures contribute to increased hive losses in winter [7].