“I am particularly proud of our improvements in understanding the honeybee midgut and the effects of pathogens on this organ,” Dr. Webster says. “Food (honey and pollen) is digested in this organ, and it is vulnerable to many diseases. We have developed new methods to understand and evaluate its development, health and pathology.”
This research is more important than ever as pollinator numbers have drastically decreased over the past decade. Pollinators, including some 20,000 species of wild bees, contribute to the growth of fruit, vegetables and many nuts, as well as flowering plants. Plants that depend on pollination make up 35 percent of global crop production volume with a value of as much as $577 billion a year.
Throughout his career, Dr. Webster has studied the effects of an insecticide on honeybees pollinating alfalfa and non-chemical control of the parasitic varroa mite. He has also worked with beekeepers in Belize and Ecuador to help resolve beekeeping concerns in those countries. Other research projects include studying problems in successful wintering of bee colonies in Kentucky.
Dr. Webster's research team includes research assistant Martin Matisoff, postdoctoral research scientist Dr. Katherine Kamminga, and graduate student Jacob Vincent. Find a beekeeping organization near you at www.ksbabeekeeping.org/local-beekeeping-organizations
Find a beekeeping organization near you at www.ksbabeekeeping.org/local-beekeeping-organizations
The world is facing a decline in honeybee populations that could threaten a variety of crops
including apples, cranberries, melons, broccoli, blueberries, avocados, almonds, and more. Kentucky State University researchers Cecil Butler and Martin Matisoff are focusing on pathogens related to this decline.
Over the past three years, Butler and Matisoff created methods for studying the honeybee midgut. They developed successful methods for extracting and dissecting honeybee midguts and used that tissue for studying the morphology of the midgut and the effects of Nosema spp. on midgut physiology and anatomy. Butler and Matisoff hypothesized that Nosema spp. infects the bee’s midgut changing the physiology thus leading to anatomical changes and declining bee populations.
studying the morphology of the midgut and the effects of Nosema spp. on midgut physiology and anatomy. Butler and Matisoff hypothesized that Nosema spp. infects the bee's midgut changing the physiology thus leading to anatomical changes and declining bee populations.
They observed that the spores were able to circumvent the peritrophic membrane (PM) and infect the delicate epithelial tissue. The PM consists of several layers of chitin and protein that form an impermeable matrix that blocks the passage of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. What is not known is how spores, which are significantly larger than these other pathogens, are able to get through the PM.
passage of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. What is not known is how spores, which are significantly larger than these other pathogens, are able to get through the PM.
Their work corroborated earlier electron microscopy studies conducted in the United Kingdom and Brazil. Butler and Matisoff were the first team to use routine and special staining methods to identify anatomical changes in the underlying structures. They also used special stains to identify the valves that control the passage of food into and out of the midgut.
Research Assistants Martin Matisoff and Cecil Butler
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