The Australian apicultural industry is under significant threat from several pests and diseases such as Chalkbrood and American Foulbrood, and protecting apiaries from disease is an essential part of commercial bee keeping.
Chalkbrood is a disease of honeybee brood caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis (Chalkbrood fungus). Gut microbiota probably play an extremely important role in honey bees. It is believed that they may contribute to food digestion, produce essential vitamins used by the host, and/or prevent potentially harmful pathogens from colonising the gut.