Fig 1.
Larvae survival curves in colonies with River disease.
Three days old eggs (H3) and 1 to 5 days old larvae (L1 to L5) were translocated from healthy colonies to three colonies with River disease for a period of five days. Different letters indicate significant differences (P <0.05) in larval survival (Holm Sidak test).
Fig 2.
Fibers from the cottony cover of E. cestri nymphs.
Fibers were found in nectar samples of colonies with River disease (above) and in the wash water of Epormenis cestri nymphs (below).
Fig 3.
Nectar and pollen role in larvae death in colonies affected with River disease.
Percentage of brood survival in colonies placed in tents and fed with different combinations of nectar and pollen obtained from healthy colonies and colonies affected with River disease. Different letters indicate significant differences (P <0.05) (Mann Whitney test).
Fig 4.
Proportion of Epormenis cestri nymphs and adults (100 individuals) observed in Sebatiania schottiana trees.
Fig 5.
Total number of bees observed foraging Epormenis cestri secretions on Sebastiania schottiana trees.
Recordings were made in three trees, three times a day (9.00, 12.00 and 16.00 hours).
Fig 6.
Survival curves of laboratory reared larvae fed with different diets.
Control 1: larvae were fed with 1/3 syrup and 2/3 royal jelly; Control 2: larvae were fed with 1/3 syrup and 2/3 royal jelly; Healthy nectar: larvae were fed with 1/6 syrup, 1/6 nectar from healthy colonies and 4/6 of royal jelly; River disease nectar: larvae were fed with 1/6 syrup, 1/6 nectar from colonies with River disease and 4/6 of royal jelly; Epormenis cestri secretions: larvae were fed with 1/9 syrup, 1/9 nectar from healthy colonies, 1/9 secretions of E. cestri and 6/9 of royal jelly. Different letters indicate significant differences (P <0.05) in larval survival (Holm Sidak test).