Aspects of the use of honeybees and bumblebees as vector of antagonistic micro-organisms in plant diseas control

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and bumblebees (Bombus terrestris L.) are used for pollination in agriculture and horticulture. The morphological and behavioural characteristics of bees make them good pollinators. Thanks to this, bees may also be used as vector of antagonistic micro-organisms for plant disease control, both preventive and curative. To determine the practical consequences of this way of plant disease control, research has started on the two main aspects: the impact of the antagonist on the vector itself and the impact on the transmission of Botrytis aclada into seeds of onion. Preliminary tests for method development have been carried out to determine the impact on honeybees and bumblebees and on the dissemination of the antagonist over the flowering plants. Results: Trichoderma harzianum and PGBY1 have no negative impact in the brood of honeybees and bumblebees. Honeybees are rather effective vectors to transfer the antagonist Ulocladium atrum to onion flowers and this resulted in transfer into the seeds