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Guichard M, von Virag A, Droz B, Dainat B. Do Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) mite flows between Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies bias colony infestation evaluation for resistance selection? JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2024; 24:3. [PMID: 38989845 PMCID: PMC11237995 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Since the global invasion of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman), selection of mite-resistant honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies appears challenging and has to date not broadly reduced colony mortality. The low published estimated heritability values for mite infestation levels could explain the limited genetic progresses obtained so far. We hypothesize that intercolonial horizontal mite transmission could differentially affect the single colonies located in a given apiary and therefore invisibly bias colony infestation phenotypes. This bias may be lower in regions with lower colony density, providing suitable conditions to set up evaluation apiaries. To verify these hypotheses, we monitored mite infestation and reinvasion in experimental colonies, as well as infestation in neighboring colonies belonging to beekeepers in three areas with variable colony densities in the canton of Bern, Switzerland during three consecutive beekeeping seasons. Mite immigration fluctuated between apiaries and years and significantly contributed to colony infestation level. Depending on apiary and year, 17-48% of the mites present in the experimental colonies at the time of the summer oxalic acid final treatment potentially derived from mite immigration that had occurred since mid-spring. Mite immigration was not linked to local colony density or the infestation levels of beekeepers' colonies located within 2 km. Our results do not prove that apiaries for colony evaluation should necessarily be established in areas with low colony density. However, they highlight the high impact of beekeeping management practices on mite colony infestation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Benoît Droz
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
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Liao J, Wan K, Lü Y, Ouyang W, Huang J, Zheng L, Miao L, Su S, Li Z. Comparison of Brain Gene Expression Profiles Associated with Auto-Grooming Behavior between Apis cerana and Apis mellifera Infested by Varroa destructor. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:763. [PMID: 38927699 PMCID: PMC11202474 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The grooming behavior of honeybees serves as a crucial auto-protective mechanism against Varroa mite infestations. Compared to Apis mellifera, Apis cerana demonstrates more effective grooming behavior in removing Varroa mites from the bodies of infested bees. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating grooming behavior remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the auto-grooming behavior between A. cerana and A. mellifera and employed RNA-sequencing technology to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in bee brains with varying degrees of grooming behavior intensity. We observed that A. cerana exhibited a higher frequency of mite removal between day 5 and day 15 compared to A. mellifera, with day-9 bees showing the highest frequency of mite removal in A. cerana. RNA-sequencing results revealed the differential expression of the HTR2A and SLC17A8 genes in A. cerana and the CCKAR and TpnC47D genes in A. mellifera. Subsequent homology analysis identified the HTR2A gene and SLC17A8 gene of A. cerana as homologous to the HTR2A gene and SLC17A7 gene of A. mellifera. These DEGs are annotated in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway, the glutamatergic synaptic pathway, and the calcium signaling pathway. Moreover, CCKAR, TpnC47D, HTR2A, and SLC17A7 may be closely related to the auto-grooming behavior of A. mellifera, conferring resistance against Varroa infestation. Our results further explain the relationship between honeybee grooming behavior and brain function at the molecular level and provide a reference basis for further studies of the mechanism of honeybee grooming behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Liao
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
| | - Kunlin Wan
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
| | - Yang Lü
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
- Mudanjiang Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mudanjiang 157000, China
| | - Wenyao Ouyang
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
| | - Jingnan Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;
| | - Liyuan Zheng
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
| | - Liuchang Miao
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
| | - Songkun Su
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
- Academy of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhiguo Li
- College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (J.L.); (K.W.); (Y.L.); (W.O.); (L.Z.); (L.M.)
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Lefebre R, De Smet L, Tehel A, Paxton RJ, Bossuyt E, Verbeke W, van Dooremalen C, Ulgezen ZN, van den Bosch T, Schaafsma F, Valkenburg DJ, Dall’Olio R, Alaux C, Dezmirean DS, Giurgiu AI, Capela N, Simões S, Sousa JP, Bencsik M, McVeigh A, Ramsey MT, Ahmad S, Kumar T, Schäfer MO, Beaurepaire AL, Moro A, Flener CJ, Matthijs S, de Graaf DC. Allele Frequencies of Genetic Variants Associated with Varroa Drone Brood Resistance (DBR) in Apis mellifera Subspecies across the European Continent. INSECTS 2024; 15:419. [PMID: 38921134 PMCID: PMC11203681 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Implementation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in modern beekeeping would improve sustainability, especially in breeding programs aiming for resilience against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Selecting honey bee colonies for natural resistance traits, such as brood-intrinsic suppression of varroa mite reproduction, reduces the use of chemical acaricides while respecting local adaptation. In 2019, eight genomic variants associated with varroa non-reproduction in drone brood were discovered in a single colony from the Amsterdam Water Dune population in the Netherlands. Recently, a new study tested the applicability of these eight genetic variants for the same phenotype on a population-wide scale in Flanders, Belgium. As the properties of some variants varied between the two studies, one hypothesized that the difference in genetic ancestry of the sampled colonies may underly these contribution shifts. In order to frame this, we determined the allele frequencies of the eight genetic variants in more than 360 Apis mellifera colonies across the European continent and found that variant type allele frequencies of these variants are primarily related to the A. mellifera subspecies or phylogenetic honey bee lineage. Our results confirm that population-specific genetic markers should always be evaluated in a new population prior to using them in MAS programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regis Lefebre
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Lina De Smet
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Anja Tehel
- Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06126 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06126 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Emma Bossuyt
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Wim Verbeke
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Coby van Dooremalen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Zeynep N. Ulgezen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Trudy van den Bosch
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Famke Schaafsma
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Dirk-Jan Valkenburg
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | | | - Cedric Alaux
- Unité Abeilles et Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche pour l’Agriculture, CEDEX 9, 84914 Avignon, France;
| | - Daniel S. Dezmirean
- Apiculture and Sericulture Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania; (D.S.D.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Alexandru I. Giurgiu
- Apiculture and Sericulture Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania; (D.S.D.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Nuno Capela
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (N.C.); (S.S.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Sandra Simões
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (N.C.); (S.S.); (J.P.S.)
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (N.C.); (S.S.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Martin Bencsik
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Adam McVeigh
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Michael Thomas Ramsey
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Sausan Ahmad
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Tarun Kumar
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Marc O. Schäfer
- Institute of Infectology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Alexis L. Beaurepaire
- Institute of Bee Health, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (A.L.B.); (A.M.)
- Center for Bee Research, 3097 Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Arrigo Moro
- Institute of Bee Health, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (A.L.B.); (A.M.)
- Galway Honey Bee Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Severine Matthijs
- Department of Viral Reemerging, Enzootic and Bee Diseases, Sciensano, 1050 Elsene, Belgium;
| | - Dirk C. de Graaf
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
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Jobart B, Delatte H, Lebreton G, Cazanove N, Esnault O, Clémencet J, Blot N. Parasite and virus dynamics in the honeybee Apis mellifera unicolor on a tropical island recently invaded by Varroa destructor. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 204:108125. [PMID: 38705353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
In La Réunion, the established honeybee subspecies Apis mellifera unicolor, an endemic subspecies of African lineage, is facing considerable challenges. Since the introduction of the Varroa destructor mite in 2017 high colony losses have been recorded. We investigated the dynamics of V. destructor and two viruses, the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), known to be transmitted by the mite, and the Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), in A. m. unicolor. Colonies from two apiaries located at 300 and 900 m a.s.l were monitored twice for one year without any acaricide treatment. The brood area, V. destructor infestation rates, DWV and CBPV prevalence and load were recorded monthly. A. m. unicolor maintained brood rearing throughout the year. Varroa destructor infestation resulted in high colony mortality (up to 85 %) and high phoretic mite rates (up to 52 mites per hundred bees). The establishment of DWV in colonies occurred after that of V. destructor and the mite infestation rate had a significant effect on the virus prevalence and load. CBPV appeared only transiently throughout the surveys. The data showed that, in tropical colonies with permanent brood rearing, V. destructor and DWV can reach high levels, but are still subject to seasonal variations that appear to be influenced by environmental conditions. This suggests that beekeeping practices could be adapted by favouring sites and periods for transhumance or acaricide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Jobart
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France; Université de La Réunion, UMR PVBMT, F-97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Hélène Delatte
- CIRAD, UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Esnault
- Université de La Réunion, UMR PVBMT, F-97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Johanna Clémencet
- Université de La Réunion, UMR PVBMT, F-97400 Saint Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Nicolas Blot
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire "Microorganismes: Génome Et Environnement, Clermont-Ferrand, France; UMR PVBMT, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France.
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Lefebre R, Claeys Bouuaert D, Bossuyt E, De Smet L, Brunain M, Danneels E, de Graaf DC. Comprehensive Approach to Phenotype Varroa destructor Reproduction in Honey Bee Drone Brood and Its Correlation with Decreased Mite Reproduction (DMR). INSECTS 2024; 15:397. [PMID: 38921112 PMCID: PMC11203922 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms of action behind decreased mite reproduction (DMR) are still unknown, but current hypotheses state that DMR is the result of brood-intrinsic and/or external disturbances in the V. destructor-honey bee pupa signal interactions. For accurate and precise DMR phenotyping, sufficient single infested honey bee brood cells are required (e.g., 35), which requires extensive labor and time and may exclude many samples not reaching the threshold. We defined a new comprehensive trait called the 'mean V. destructor reproduction rate' (mVR), which describes the mean number of offspring mites per infested cell in the sample while compensating for the reduced number of offspring with increasing multiple infested cells. We found a significant correlation between mVR and DMR, allowing for an estimation of DMR based on the mVR only. When the mVR was calculated with 10 infested cells, we found an average variation in mVR of 16.8%. For the same variation in DMR determination, 40 single infested cells are required. This broader look at V. destructor resistance phenotyping can improve the applicability and effectiveness of traits related to V. destructor reproduction in honey bee breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regis Lefebre
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - David Claeys Bouuaert
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Emma Bossuyt
- Honeybee Valley, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (E.D.)
| | - Lina De Smet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Marleen Brunain
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Ellen Danneels
- Honeybee Valley, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (E.D.)
| | - Dirk C. de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
- Honeybee Valley, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (E.D.)
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Morin ML, Giovenazzo P. Mite non-reproduction, recapping behavior, and hygienic behavior (freeze-kill method) linked to Varroa destructor infestation levels in selected Apis mellifera colonies. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:655-663. [PMID: 37139827 PMCID: PMC10621551 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231172141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic selection of honey bees (Apis mellifera) possessing specific social hygienic behaviors offers the beekeeping industry the possibility of controlling the Varroa destructor parasite and thus reducing its dependence on acaricides. However, the links between these behavioral traits are not yet well defined, which limits genetic progress in breeding programs. We measured the following behavioral varroa resistance traits: freeze-kill brood (FKB) and pin-kill brood (PKB) assays, varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH), pupae removal, mite non-reproduction (MNR), and recapping activity. We found 2 negative and significant relationships: 1) between the recapping of cells infested with varroa and the total number of recapped cells, and 2) between the recapping of cells infested with varroa and VSH. We also selected the best predictive model of varroa infestation levels using the "step-wise" approach based on the Akaike information criterion. Our model revealed that MNR and FKB were significantly related to the varroa population levels, with a negative relationship; recapping was significantly related to mite infestation levels, with a positive relationship. Thus, a higher MNR or FKB score was linked to lower levels of mite infestation in colonies on August 14 (prior to fall infestation treatments); a higher recapping activity was linked to a higher level of mite infestation. Recapping behavior could be a useful trait to aid the selection of varroa-resistant bee lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lou Morin
- Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Giovenazzo
- Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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Smith S, Moro A, McCormack GP. Exploring a Potential Avenue for Beekeeping in Ireland: Safeguarding Locally Adapted Honeybees for Breeding Varroa-Resistant Lines. INSECTS 2023; 14:827. [PMID: 37887838 PMCID: PMC10607453 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Beekeeping in Ireland has been strongly impacted by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, whose introduction caused alarming honeybee colony losses. If unmitigated, these losses could lead to the disappearance of the native honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera mellifera, with severe consequences for local biodiversity. Although beekeepers play a pivotal role in mitigating this crisis, beekeeping in Ireland is less intensive compared to other European regions, lacking significant infrastructure or support. These circumstances offer a unique opportunity for the development of national programmes that promote sustainable beekeeping practices for varroa control. Notably, local accounts highlight an increasing number of beekeepers successfully managing colonies in the absence of treatments, indicating a potential avenue for developing varroa-resistant stocks through selection of local colonies. Through a survey, we explored beekeeper's opinions and attitudes towards future national projects focused on the development of sustainable beekeeping practices and selection for varroa resistance. The findings confirm the hobbyist nature of Irish beekeepers and their preference for the native honey bee. Some beekeepers were reported to be effectively controlling varroa without treatment, yielding comparable survivals to those using treatments. The majority expressed preference towards a varroa-resistant line if it were of native origin; a few were open to importing non-Irish lines. Overall, a strong willingness to participate in a national breeding programme was expressed. These findings highlight a prime opportunity for Ireland to establish a community-driven strategy based on sustainable beekeeping practices for safeguarding native honeybees and local biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arrigo Moro
- Galway Honey Bee Research Centre, Earth and Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, University Rd., H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
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Kovačić M, Uzunov A, Tlak Gajger I, Pietropaoli M, Soroker V, Adjlane N, Benko V, Charistos L, Dall’Olio R, Formato G, Hatjina F, Malagnini V, Freda F, Otmi A, Puškadija Z, Villar C, Büchler R. Honey vs. Mite-A Trade-Off Strategy by Applying Summer Brood Interruption for Varroa destructor Control in the Mediterranean Region. INSECTS 2023; 14:751. [PMID: 37754719 PMCID: PMC10531922 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of queen caging on honey bee colonies' post-treatment development and the optimal timing of method application on honey production during the main summer nectar flow. We conducted the study in nine apiaries (N = 9) across six Mediterranean countries, with a total of 178 colonies. The colonies were divided into three test groups: QC1, QC2, and C. The QC1 group involved queens caged for a total of 28 days before the expected harvesting day. In the QC2 group, queens were caged for 28 days, but only 14 days before the expected harvesting day. The C group consisted of queens that were not caged, and the colonies received common local treatments. In both the QC1 and QC2 groups, the colonies were treated with a 4.2% oxalic acid (OA) solution by trickling after the queen release. Our findings revealed no significant adverse effects (p > 0.05) on colony strength at the end of the study resulting from queen caging. However, significantly lower amounts of honey were extracted from the QC1 group compared to both the QC2 group (p = 0.001) and the C group (p = 0.009). Although there were no initial differences in Varroa destructor infestation between the groups, ten weeks later, a significantly higher infestation was detected in the C group compared to both the QC1 group (p < 0.01) and the QC2 group (p = 0.003). Overall, our study demonstrates that queen caging, in combination with the use of OA, is an effective treatment for controlling V. destructor. However, the timing of caging plays a crucial role in honey production outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marin Kovačić
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, V. Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (M.K.); (Z.P.)
| | - Aleksandar Uzunov
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia;
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ivana Tlak Gajger
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova ul. 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marco Pietropaoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Center, 68 HaMacabim Road, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (V.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Noureddine Adjlane
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science, University of Boumerdes, 35000 Boumerdes, Algeria;
| | - Valerija Benko
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova ul. 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Leonidas Charistos
- Department of Apiculture, Institute of Animal Sciences, Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos “DIMITRA”, 63 200 Nea Moudania, Greece; (L.C.); (F.H.)
| | | | - Giovanni Formato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Fani Hatjina
- Department of Apiculture, Institute of Animal Sciences, Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos “DIMITRA”, 63 200 Nea Moudania, Greece; (L.C.); (F.H.)
| | - Valeria Malagnini
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Centro Trasferimento Tecnologico, Via E. Mach, 1 San Michele all’Adige, 38098 Trento, Italy; (V.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Fabrizio Freda
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, Centro Trasferimento Tecnologico, Via E. Mach, 1 San Michele all’Adige, 38098 Trento, Italy; (V.M.); (F.F.)
| | - Asaf Otmi
- Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), The Volcani Center, 68 HaMacabim Road, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; (V.S.); (A.O.)
| | - Zlatko Puškadija
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, V. Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (M.K.); (Z.P.)
| | - Claudio Villar
- Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla La Mancha, 02600 Albacete, Spain;
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9
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Begna T, Ulziibayar D, Bisrat D, Jung C. Acaricidal Toxicity of Four Essential Oils, Their Predominant Constituents, Their Mixtures against Varroa Mite, and Their Selectivity to Honey Bees ( Apis cerana and A. mellifera). INSECTS 2023; 14:735. [PMID: 37754703 PMCID: PMC10532382 DOI: 10.3390/insects14090735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The honey bee (Apis mellifera) faces a significant threat from Varroa destructor, causing the losses of millions of colonies worldwide. While synthetic acaricides are widely used to control Varroa infestations, excessive application has led to resistant strains and poses side effects on the host. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a new acaricide that is both effective and affordable, yet safe to use on bees. One potential source of these acaricides is essential oils (EOs) and their constituents. This study evaluated the acaricidal properties of four essential oils (Eucalyptus globulus, Rosemary officinalis, Trachyspermum ammi (Ethiopian and Indian varieties), their constituents and mixture of constituents against V. destructor through the complete exposure method. Our finding showed that a 1:1 mixture of thymol and carvacrol (4 h-LC50 = 42 μg/mL), thymol (4 h-LC50 = 71 μg/mL), and T. ammi oil (4 h-LC50 = 81-98 μg/mL) were the most toxic test samples against V. destructor. Honey bee behavior and selectivity were also assessed with one additional EO Thymus schimperi, indicating that T. schimperi, T. ammi, and their components were selective and did not affect the learning and memory of bees. In conclusion, the thymol and carvacrol (1:1) mixture was shown to be a promising replacement for synthetic acaricides, being three times more toxic than a commercial acaricide, fluvalinate (4 h-LC50 = 143 μg/mL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tekalign Begna
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea;
| | - Delgermaa Ulziibayar
- Department of Environmental Technology, School of Tourism and Land Management, Mongolian National University, Ulanbator P.O. Box -46A/523, Mongolia;
| | - Daniel Bisrat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia;
| | - Chuleui Jung
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea;
- Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
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10
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Buswell VG, Ellis JS, Huml JV, Wragg D, Barnett MW, Brown A, Knight ME. When One's Not Enough: Colony Pool-Seq Outperforms Individual-Based Methods for Assessing Introgression in Apis mellifera mellifera. INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050421. [PMID: 37233049 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The human management of honey bees (Apis mellifera) has resulted in the widespread introduction of subspecies outside of their native ranges. One well known example of this is Apis mellifera mellifera, native to Northern Europe, which has now been significantly introgressed by the introduction of C lineage honey bees. Introgression has consequences for species in terms of future adaptive potential and long-term viability. However, estimating introgression in colony-living haplodiploid species is challenging. Previous studies have estimated introgression using individual workers, individual drones, multiple drones, and pooled workers. Here, we compare introgression estimates via three genetic approaches: SNP array, individual RAD-seq, and pooled colony RAD-seq. We also compare two statistical approaches: a maximum likelihood cluster program (ADMIXTURE) and an incomplete lineage sorting model (ABBA BABA). Overall, individual approaches resulted in lower introgression estimates than pooled colonies when using ADMIXTURE. However, the pooled colony ABBA BABA approach resulted in generally lower introgression estimates than all three ADMIXTURE estimates. These results highlight that sometimes one individual is not enough to assess colony-level introgression, and future studies that do use colony pools should not be solely dependent on clustering programs for introgression estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria G Buswell
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
- Information and Computational Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Jonathan S Ellis
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - J Vanessa Huml
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - David Wragg
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK
- Beebytes Analytics CIC, Roslin Innovation Centre, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mark W Barnett
- Beebytes Analytics CIC, Roslin Innovation Centre, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Andrew Brown
- B4, Newton Farm Metherell, Cornwall, Callington PL17 8DQ, UK
| | - Mairi E Knight
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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11
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First large-scale genomic prediction in the honey bee. Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 130:320-328. [PMID: 36878945 PMCID: PMC10163272 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00606-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic selection has increased genetic gain in several livestock species, but due to the complicated genetics and reproduction biology not yet in honey bees. Recently, 2970 queens were genotyped to gather a reference population. For the application of genomic selection in honey bees, this study analyzes the accuracy and bias of pedigree-based and genomic breeding values for honey yield, three workability traits, and two traits for resistance against the parasite Varroa destructor. For breeding value estimation, we use a honey bee-specific model with maternal and direct effects, to account for the contributions of the workers and the queen of a colony to the phenotypes. We conducted a validation for the last generation and a five-fold cross-validation. In the validation for the last generation, the accuracy of pedigree-based estimated breeding values was 0.12 for honey yield, and ranged from 0.42 to 0.61 for the workability traits. The inclusion of genomic marker data improved these accuracies to 0.23 for honey yield, and a range from 0.44 to 0.65 for the workability traits. The inclusion of genomic data did not improve the accuracy of the disease-related traits. Traits with high heritability for maternal effects compared to the heritability for direct effects showed the most promising results. For all traits except the Varroa resistance traits, the bias with genomic methods was on a similar level compared to the bias with pedigree-based BLUP. The results show that genomic selection can successfully be applied to honey bees.
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12
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Guichard M, von Virag A, Dainat B. Evaluating the Potential of Brood Recapping to Select Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) Resistant Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:56-67. [PMID: 36453974 PMCID: PMC9912135 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Several resistance traits have been proposed to select honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) that can survive in the presence of parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) and enable a more sustainable apiculture. The interest for uncapping-recapping has recently increased following its identification in several naturally surviving honey bee populations, yet the utility of this trait for human-mediated selection is poorly known. Here, we evaluated the repeatability of recapping and its correlations with mite infestation levels, and assessed the expression of the trait in the often neglected drone brood. We also calculated correlations between recapping, mite infertility, and mite fecundity, expressed either at the level of individual brood cells or of the whole colony. Recapping measured in worker brood showed moderate repeatability (ranging between 0.30 and 0.46). Depending on sample, recapping slightly correlated negatively with colony infestation values. Recapping was also measured in drone brood, with values often comparable to recapping in worker brood, but no significant correlations were obtained between castes. At cell level, recapped cells in drone brood (but not in workers) were significantly less infested than nonrecapped cells, whereas in workers (but not in drones), recapped cells hosted mites with significantly lower fecundity. At colony level, with a few exceptions, recapping did not significantly correlate with mite infertility and fecundity, caste, sample, or number of infested cells considered. These results indicate limited possibilities of impeding mite reproduction and possibly mite infestation of honey bee colonies by recapping, which would need to be confirmed on larger, different populations.
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13
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Bruckner S, Straub L, Neumann P, Williams GR. Negative but antagonistic effects of neonicotinoid insecticides and ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor on Apis mellifera honey bee food glands. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137535. [PMID: 36521752 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Collaborative brood care by workers is essential for the functionality of eusocial Apis mellifera honey bee colonies. The hypopharyngeal food glands of workers play a crucial role in this context. Even though there is consensus that ubiquitous ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and widespread insecticides, such as neonicotinoids, are major stressors for honey bee health, their impact alone and in combination on the feeding glands of workers is poorly understood. Here, we show that combined exposure to V. destructor and neonicotinoids antagonistically interacted on hypopharyngeal gland size, yet they did not interact on emergence body mass or survival. While the observed effects of the antagonistic interaction were less negative than expected based on the sum of the individual effects, hypopharyngeal gland size was still significantly reduced. Alone, V. destructor parasitism negatively affected emergence body mass, survival, and hypopharyngeal gland size, whereas neonicotinoid exposure reduced hypopharyngeal gland size only. Since size is associated with hypopharyngeal gland functionality, a reduction could result in inadequate brood care. As cooperative brood care is a cornerstone of eusociality, smaller glands could have adverse down-stream effects on inclusive fitness of honey bee colonies. Therefore, our findings highlight the need to further study how ubiquitous stressors like V. destructor and neonicotinoids interact to affect honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Bruckner
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 301 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
| | - Lars Straub
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3097, Liebefeld, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3097, Liebefeld, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3097, Liebefeld, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3097, Liebefeld, Switzerland.
| | - Geoffrey R Williams
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, 301 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
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14
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Kahane F, Osborne J, Crowley S, Shaw R. Motivations underpinning honeybee management practices: A Q methodology study with UK beekeepers. AMBIO 2022; 51:2155-2168. [PMID: 35588040 PMCID: PMC9378798 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-022-01736-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Beekeepers are central to pollinator health. For policymakers and beekeeping organisations to develop widely accepted strategies to sustain honeybee populations alongside wild pollinators, a structured understanding of beekeeper motivations is essential. UK beekeepers are increasing in number, with diverse management styles despite calls for coordinated practice to manage honeybee health. Our Q methodology study in Cornwall, UK, indicated five beekeeping perspectives; conventional hobbyists, natural beekeepers, black bee farmers, new-conventional hobbyists and pragmatic bee farmers. Motivations can be shared across perspectives but trade-offs (notably between economic, social responsibility and ideological motivations) result in differing practices, some of which counter 'official' UK advice and may have implications for pollinator health and competition. Honeybee conservation emerged as a key motivator behind non-conventional practices, but wild pollinator conservation was not prioritised by most beekeepers in practice. Q methodology has the potential to facilitate non-hierarchical collaboration and conceptualisation of sustainable beekeeping, moving towards co-production of knowledge to influence policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay Kahane
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE Cornwall UK
| | - Juliet Osborne
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE Cornwall UK
| | - Sarah Crowley
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE Cornwall UK
| | - Rosalind Shaw
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE Cornwall UK
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15
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von Virag A, Guichard M, Neuditschko M, Dietemann V, Dainat B. Decreased Mite Reproduction to Select Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) Resistant Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Limitations and Potential Methodological Improvements. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:695-705. [PMID: 35380682 PMCID: PMC9175287 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The invasive parasitic mite, Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman), is the major biotic threat to the survival of European honey bees, Apis mellifera L. To improve colony survival against V. destructor, the selection of resistant lineages against this parasite is considered a sustainable solution. Among selected traits, mite fertility and fecundity, often referred to as suppressed mite reproduction are increasingly used in breeding programmes. However, the current literature leaves some gaps in the assessment of the effectiveness of selecting these traits toward achieving resistance. In the population studied here, we show a low repeatability and reproducibility of mite fertility and fecundity phenotypes, as well as a low correlation of these traits with infestation rates of colonies. Phenotyping reliability could neither be improved by increasing the number of worker brood cells screened, nor by screening drone brood, which is highly attractive for the parasite and available early in the season, theoretically allowing a reduction of generation time and thus an acceleration of genetic progress in selected lineages. Our results provide an evaluation of the potential and limitations of selecting on decreased mite reproduction traits to obtain V. destructor-resistant honeybee colonies. To allow for a more precise implementation of such selection and output reporting, we propose a refined nomenclature by introducing the terms of decreased mite reproduction and reduced mite reproduction, depending on the extent of mite reproduction targeted. We also highlight the importance of ensuring accurate phenotyping ahead of initiating long-lasting selection programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vincent Dietemann
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, UNIL-Sorge, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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16
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Penn HJ, Simone-Finstrom MD, Chen Y, Healy KB. Honey Bee Genetic Stock Determines Deformed Wing Virus Symptom Severity but not Viral Load or Dissemination Following Pupal Exposure. Front Genet 2022; 13:909392. [PMID: 35719388 PMCID: PMC9204523 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.909392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees exposed to Varroa mites incur substantial physical damage in addition to potential exposure to vectored viruses such as Deformed wing virus (DWV) that exists as three master variants (DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C) and recombinants. Although mite-resistant bees have been primarily bred to mitigate the impacts of Varroa mites, mite resistance may be associated with increased tolerance or resistance to the vectored viruses. The goal of our study is to determine if five honey bee stocks (Carniolan, Italian, Pol-Line, Russian, and Saskatraz) differ in their resistance or tolerance to DWV based on prior breeding for mite resistance. We injected white-eyed pupae with a sublethal dose (105) of DWV or exposed them to mites and then evaluated DWV levels and dissemination and morphological symptoms upon adult emergence. While we found no evidence of DWV resistance across stocks (i.e., similar rates of viral replication and dissemination), we observed that some stocks exhibited reduced symptom severity suggestive of differential tolerance. However, DWV tolerance was not consistent across mite-resistant stocks as Russian bees were most tolerant, while Pol-Line exhibited the most severe symptoms. DWV variants A and B exhibited differential dissemination patterns that interacted significantly with the treatment group but not bee stock. Furthermore, elevated DWV-B levels reduced adult emergence time, while both DWV variants were associated with symptom likelihood and severity. These data indicate that the genetic differences underlying bee resistance to Varroa mites are not necessarily correlated with DWV tolerance and may interact differentially with DWV variants, highlighting the need for further work on mechanisms of tolerance and bee stock–specific physiological interactions with pathogen variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Penn
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Sugarcane Research Unit, Houma, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Hannah J. Penn, ; Michael D. Simone-Finstrom,
| | - Michael D. Simone-Finstrom
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Hannah J. Penn, ; Michael D. Simone-Finstrom,
| | - Yanping Chen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Kristen B. Healy
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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17
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A derived honey bee stock confers resistance to Varroa destructor and associated viral transmission. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4852. [PMID: 35393440 PMCID: PMC8989980 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08643-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is the greatest threat to managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies globally. Despite significant efforts, novel treatments to control the mite and its vectored pathogens have shown limited efficacy, as the host remains naïve. A prospective solution lies in the development of Varroa-resistant honey bee stocks, but a paucity of rigorous selection data restricts widespread adoption. Here, we characterise the parasite and viral dynamics of a Varroa-resistant honey bee stock, designated ‘Pol-line’, using a large-scale longitudinal study. Results demonstrate markedly reduced Varroa levels in this stock, diminished titres of three major viruses (DWV-A, DWV-B, and CBPV), and a two-fold increase in survival. Levels of a fourth virus that is not associated with Varroa—BQCV—do not differ between stocks, supporting a disruption of the transmission pathway. Further, we show that when decoupled from the influence of Varroa levels, viral titres do not constitute strong independent predictors of colony mortality risk. These findings highlight the need for a reassessment of Varroa etiology, and suggest that derived stocks represent a tractable solution to the Varroa pandemic.
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18
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Bartlett LJ. Frontiers in effective control of problem parasites in beekeeping. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:263-272. [PMID: 35309040 PMCID: PMC8924282 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Demand for better control of certain parasites in managed western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) remains apparent amongst beekeepers in both Europe and North America, and is of widespread public, scientific, and agricultural concern. Academically, interest from numerous fields including veterinary sciences has led to many exemplary reviews of the parasites of honey bees and the treatment options available. However, summaries of current research frontiers in treating both novel and long-known parasites of managed honey bees are lacking. This review complements the currently comprehensive body of literature summarizing the effectiveness of parasite control in managed honey bees by outlining where significant gaps in development, implementation, and uptake lie, including integration into IPM frameworks and separation of cultural, biological, and chemical controls. In particular, I distinguish where challenges in identifying appropriate controls exist in the lab compared to where we encounter hurdles in technology transfer due to regulatory, economic, or cultural contexts. I overview how exciting frontiers in honey bee parasite control research are clearly demonstrated by the abundance of recent publications on novel control approaches, but also caution that temperance must be levied on the applied end of the research engine in believing that what can be achieved in a laboratory research environment can be quickly and effectively marketed for deployment in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis J Bartlett
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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19
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Gómez IB, Ramos MJG, Rajski Ł, Flores JM, Jesús F, Fernández-Alba AR. Ion chromatography coupled to Q-Orbitrap for the analysis of formic and oxalic acid in beehive matrices: a field study. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:2419-2430. [PMID: 35175389 PMCID: PMC8888483 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-03882-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
There is an increasing concern about the use of synthetic acaricides to fight the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Natural products such as formic acid (FA) and oxalic acid (OA) have emerged as a possible alternative control strategy. However, given the difficulty of analysing these highly polar compounds and the lack of robust and reliable methods, there are very few studies of the concentration and distribution of these natural acaricides in the beehive compartments. We present a reliable and simple analytical methodology, based on sample extraction with modified quick polar pesticide (QuPPe) methods followed by ion chromatography coupled to a quadrupole Orbitrap mass analyser for the analysis of FA and OA in honeybees, honey, beeswax, and beebread. The developed methods have been used in a field study for the evaluation of the presence and distribution of FA and OA in the beehive products, as well as in adult bees and bee brood samples, before, during, and up to 3 months after the application of the treatments by the beekeeper. Beebread and honey samples presented the highest concentration levels of OA and FA, respectively, mainly due to their natural presence. As expected, the organic acids showed low persistence in wax after the treatments. The natural acaricides were found in adult and developing bees at concentration levels below the reported LD50 in all the cases; however, residue levels of OA in larvae during the treatment application were very close to the reported LD50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Icíar Beraza Gómez
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3 (ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - María José Gómez Ramos
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3 (ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain.
| | - Łukasz Rajski
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3 (ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - José Manuel Flores
- Department of Zoology, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Florencia Jesús
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3 (ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain
- Grupo de Análisis de Compuestos Traza, Polo de Desarrollo Universitario "Abordaje holístico", CENUR Litoral Norte Sede Paysandú, Universidad de la República, Ruta 3 km 363, 60000, Paysandú, Uruguay
| | - Amadeo R Fernández-Alba
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3 (ceiA3), Carretera Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120, Almería, Spain
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20
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Guichard M, Dainat B, Eynard S, Vignal A, Servin B, Neuditschko M. Two quantitative trait loci are associated with recapping of Varroa destructor-infested brood cells in Apis mellifera mellifera. Anim Genet 2021; 53:156-160. [PMID: 34729804 PMCID: PMC9297925 DOI: 10.1111/age.13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recapping of Varroa destructor-infested brood cells is a trait that has recently attracted interest in honey bee breeding to select mite-resistant Apis mellifera colonies. To investigate the genetic architecture of this trait, we evaluated a sample of A. mellifera mellifera colonies (N = 155) from Switzerland and France and performed a genome-wide association study, using a pool of 500 workers per colony for next-generation sequencing. The results revealed that two QTL were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with recapping of V. destructor-infested brood cells. The best-associated QTL is located on chromosome 5 in a region previously found to be associated with grooming behaviour, a resistance trait against V. destructor, in A. mellifera and Apis cerana. The second best-associated QTL is located on chromosome 4 in an intron of the Dscam gene, which is involved in neuronal wiring. Previous research demonstrated that genes involved in neuronal wiring are associated with recapping and varroa sensitive hygiene. Therefore, our study confirms the role of a gene region on chromosome 5 in social immunity and simultaneously provides novel insights into genetic interactions between common mite resistance traits in honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Guichard
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern, 3003, Switzerland.,Agroscope, Animal GenoPhenomics, Rte de la Tioleyre 4, Posieux, 1725, Switzerland
| | - B Dainat
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern, 3003, Switzerland
| | - S Eynard
- GenPhySE, INRA, INPT, INPENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, 31320, France.,UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles Dans l'Environnement, Avignon, 84914, France
| | - A Vignal
- GenPhySE, INRA, INPT, INPENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, 31320, France.,UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles Dans l'Environnement, Avignon, 84914, France
| | - B Servin
- GenPhySE, INRA, INPT, INPENVT, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, 31320, France.,UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles Dans l'Environnement, Avignon, 84914, France
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- Labogena, Domaine de Vilvert Bat 224 CS80009, Jouy-en-Josas CEDEX, 78353, France
| | - M Neuditschko
- Agroscope, Animal GenoPhenomics, Rte de la Tioleyre 4, Posieux, 1725, Switzerland
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21
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Vilarem C, Piou V, Vogelweith F, Vétillard A. Varroa destructor from the Laboratory to the Field: Control, Biocontrol and IPM Perspectives-A Review. INSECTS 2021; 12:800. [PMID: 34564240 PMCID: PMC8465918 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is a real challenger for beekeepers and scientists: fragile out of the hive, tenacious inside a bee colony. From all the research done on the topic, we have learned that a better understanding of this organism in its relationship with the bee but also for itself is necessary. Its biology relies mostly on semiochemicals for reproduction, nutrition, or orientation. Many treatments have been developed over the years based on hard or soft acaricides or even on biocontrol techniques. To date, no real sustainable solution exists to reduce the pressure of the mite without creating resistances or harming honeybees. Consequently, the development of alternative disruptive tools against the parasitic life cycle remains open. It requires the combination of both laboratory and field results through a holistic approach based on health biomarkers. Here, we advocate for a more integrative vision of V. destructor research, where in vitro and field studies are more systematically compared and compiled. Therefore, after a brief state-of-the-art about the mite's life cycle, we discuss what has been done and what can be done from the laboratory to the field against V. destructor through an integrative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Vilarem
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université de Toulouse III-IRD, INU Jean-François Champollion, Université Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.V.); (V.P.)
- M2i Biocontrol–Entreprise SAS, 46140 Parnac, France;
| | - Vincent Piou
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université de Toulouse III-IRD, INU Jean-François Champollion, Université Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.V.); (V.P.)
| | | | - Angélique Vétillard
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université de Toulouse III-IRD, INU Jean-François Champollion, Université Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France; (C.V.); (V.P.)
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22
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Jack CJ, Ellis JD. Integrated Pest Management Control of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae), the Most Damaging Pest of (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) Colonies. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2021; 21:6. [PMID: 34536080 PMCID: PMC8449538 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is among the greatest biological threats to western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) health worldwide. Beekeepers routinely use chemical treatments to control this parasite, though overuse and mismanagement of these treatments have led to widespread resistance in Varroa populations. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecologically based, sustainable approach to pest management that relies on a combination of control tactics that minimize environmental impacts. Herein, we provide an in-depth review of the components of IPM in a Varroa control context. These include determining economic thresholds for the mite, identification of and monitoring for Varroa, prevention strategies, and risk conscious treatments. Furthermore, we provide a detailed review of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical control strategies, both longstanding and emerging, used against Varroa globally. For each control type, we describe all available treatments, their efficacies against Varroa as described in the primary scientific literature, and the obstacles to their adoption. Unfortunately, reliable IPM protocols do not exist for Varroa due to the complex biology of the mite and strong reliance on chemical control by beekeepers. To encourage beekeeper adoption, a successful IPM approach to Varroa control in managed colonies must be an improvement over conventional control methods and include cost-effective treatments that can be employed readily by beekeepers. It is our intention to provide the most thorough review of Varroa control options available, ultimately framing our discussion within the context of IPM. We hope this article is a call-to-arms against the most damaging pest managed honey bee colonies face worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron J Jack
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - James D Ellis
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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23
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Grindrod I, Martin SJ. Parallel evolution of Varroa resistance in honey bees: a common mechanism across continents? Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211375. [PMID: 34344183 PMCID: PMC8334839 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The near-globally distributed ecto-parasitic mite of the Apis mellifera honeybee, Varroa destructor, has formed a lethal association with Deformed wing virus, a once rare and benign RNA virus. In concert, the two have killed millions of wild and managed colonies, particularly across the Northern Hemisphere, forcing the need for regular acaricide application to ensure colony survival. However, despite the short association (in evolutionary terms), a small but increasing number of A. mellifera populations across the globe have been surviving many years without any mite control methods. This long-term survival, or Varroa resistance, is consistently associated with the same suite of traits (recapping, brood removal and reduced mite reproduction) irrespective of location. Here we conduct an analysis of data extracted from 60 papers to illustrate how these traits connect together to explain decades of mite resistance data. We have potentially a unified understanding of natural Varroa resistance that will help the global industry achieve widespread miticide-free beekeeping and indicate how different honeybee populations across four continents have resolved a recent threat using the same suite of behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Grindrod
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
| | - Stephen J. Martin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
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24
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Frunze O, Brandorf A, Kang EJ, Choi YS. Beekeeping Genetic Resources and Retrieval of Honey Bee Apis mellifera L. Stock in the Russian Federation: A Review. INSECTS 2021; 12:684. [PMID: 34442250 PMCID: PMC8396492 DOI: 10.3390/insects12080684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The loss of honey bees has drawn a large amount of attention in various countries. Therefore, the development of efficient methods for recovering honey bee populations has been a priority for beekeepers. Here we present an extended literature review and report on personal communications relating to the characterization of the local and bred stock of honey bees in the Russian Federation. New types have been bred from local colonies (A. mellifera L., A. m. carpatica Avet., A. m. caucasia Gorb.). The main selection traits consist of a strong ability for overwintering, disease resistance and different aptitudes for nectar collection in low and high blooming seasons. These honey bees were certified by several methods: behavioral, morphometric and genetic analysis. We illustrate the practical experience of scientists, beekeepers and breeders in breeding A. mellifera Far East honey bees with Varroa and tracheal mite resistance, which were the initial reasons for breeding the A. mellifera Far Eastern breed by Russian breeders, Russian honey bee in America, the hybrid honey bee in Canada by American breeders, and in China by Chinese beekeepers. The recent achievements of Russian beekeepers may lead to the recovery of beekeeping areas suffering from crossbreeding and losses of honey bee colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Frunze
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Wanju 55365, Korea; (O.F.); (E.-J.K.)
| | - Anna Brandorf
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Federal Beekeeping Research Center”, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, 391110 Rybnoye, Russia;
| | - Eun-Jin Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Wanju 55365, Korea; (O.F.); (E.-J.K.)
| | - Yong-Soo Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Wanju 55365, Korea; (O.F.); (E.-J.K.)
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25
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Proesmans W, Albrecht M, Gajda A, Neumann P, Paxton RJ, Pioz M, Polzin C, Schweiger O, Settele J, Szentgyörgyi H, Thulke HH, Vanbergen AJ. Pathways for Novel Epidemiology: Plant-Pollinator-Pathogen Networks and Global Change. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:623-636. [PMID: 33865639 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multiple global change pressures, and their interplay, cause plant-pollinator extinctions and modify species assemblages and interactions. This may alter the risks of pathogen host shifts, intra- or interspecific pathogen spread, and emergence of novel population or community epidemics. Flowers are hubs for pathogen transmission. Consequently, the structure of plant-pollinator interaction networks may be pivotal in pathogen host shifts and modulating disease dynamics. Traits of plants, pollinators, and pathogens may also govern the interspecific spread of pathogens. Pathogen spillover-spillback between managed and wild pollinators risks driving the evolution of virulence and community epidemics. Understanding this interplay between host-pathogen dynamics and global change will be crucial to predicting impacts on pollinators and pollination underpinning ecosystems and human wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Proesmans
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France.
| | | | - Anna Gajda
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert J Paxton
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maryline Pioz
- Abeilles et Environnement, INRAE, 84140 Avignon, France
| | - Christine Polzin
- Department of Environmental Politics, UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Oliver Schweiger
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Josef Settele
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; iDiv, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines, 4031 Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Hajnalka Szentgyörgyi
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Hans-Hermann Thulke
- Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04138 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Adam J Vanbergen
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRAE, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France.
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26
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Guichard M, Droz B, Brascamp EW, von Virag A, Neuditschko M, Dainat B. Exploring Two Honey Bee Traits for Improving Resistance Against Varroa destructor: Development and Genetic Evaluation. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12030216. [PMID: 33802598 PMCID: PMC8001962 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Selection of honey bees requires traits which can be easily measured in the field by beekeepers. This is also the case for traits linked to honey bee resistance against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. We therefore describe two new trait evaluation protocols, ‘Recapping’ and ‘Solidness’, conceived to enable an easy evaluation of two putative colony resistance traits, recapping (i.e., opening and re-sealing) and solidness (i.e., amount of capped brood in a defined area) of worker brood, respectively. The hypothesis of this study is that higher levels of ‘Recapping’ and ‘Solidness’ could provide resistance to V. destructor. Repeatability and heritability of the two traits, as well as their phenotypic correlations with other colony traits were calculated, in order to investigate their potential for resistance selection. Both traits showed low repeatability between different measurements within each year. ‘Recapping’ had a low heritability and a negative correlation to hygienic behavior evaluated by the pin-test method. The heritability of ‘Solidness’ was moderate. The two traits did not show an association with V. destructor infestation levels. Further research is needed to confirm these results, as only a small number of colonies could be evaluated. Abstract For the development of novel selection traits in honey bees, applicability under field conditions is crucial. We thus evaluated two novel traits intended to provide resistance against the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor and to allow for their straightforward implementation in honey bee selection. These traits are new field estimates of already-described colony traits: brood recapping rate (‘Recapping’) and solidness (‘Solidness’). ‘Recapping’ refers to a specific worker characteristic wherein they reseal a capped and partly opened cell containing a pupa, whilst ‘Solidness’ assesses the percentage of capped brood in a predefined area. According to the literature and beekeepers’ experiences, a higher recapping rate and higher solidness could be related to resistance to V. destructor. During a four-year field trial in Switzerland, the two resistance traits were assessed in a total of 121 colonies of Apis mellifera mellifera. We estimated the repeatability and the heritability of the two traits and determined their phenotypic correlations with commonly applied selection traits, including other putative resistance traits. Both traits showed low repeatability between different measurements within each year. ‘Recapping’ had a low heritability (h2 = 0.04 to 0.05, depending on the selected model) and a negative phenotypic correlation to non-removal of pin-killed brood (r = −0.23). The heritability of ‘Solidness’ was moderate (h2 = 0.24 to 0.25) and did not significantly correlate with resistance traits. The two traits did not show an association with V. destructor infestation levels. Further research is needed to confirm the results, as only a small number of colonies was evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Guichard
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (B.D.); (A.v.V.); (M.N.); (B.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-(0)-58-467-11-46
| | - Benoît Droz
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (B.D.); (A.v.V.); (M.N.); (B.D.)
| | - Evert W. Brascamp
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Adrien von Virag
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (B.D.); (A.v.V.); (M.N.); (B.D.)
| | - Markus Neuditschko
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (B.D.); (A.v.V.); (M.N.); (B.D.)
| | - Benjamin Dainat
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (B.D.); (A.v.V.); (M.N.); (B.D.)
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27
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Wang S, Lin Z, Chen G, Page P, Hu F, Niu Q, Su X, Chantawannakul P, Neumann P, Zheng H, Dietemann V. Reproduction of ectoparasitic mites in a coevolved system: Varroa spp.-Eastern honey bees, Apis cerana. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:14359-14371. [PMID: 33391721 PMCID: PMC7771172 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasite host shifts can impose a high selective pressure on novel hosts. Even though the coevolved systems can reveal fundamental aspects of host-parasite interactions, research often focuses on the new host-parasite relationships. This holds true for two ectoparasitic mite species, Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsonii, which have shifted hosts from Eastern honey bees, Apis cerana, to Western honey bees, Apis mellifera, generating colony losses of these pollinators globally. Here, we study infestation rates and reproduction of V. destructor and V. jacobsonii haplotypes in 185 A. cerana colonies of six populations in China and Thailand to investigate how coevolution shaped these features. Reproductive success was mostly similar and low, indicating constraints imposed by hosts and/or mite physiology. Infestation rates varied between mite haplotypes, suggesting distinct local co-evolutionary scenarios. The differences in infestation rates and reproductive output between haplotypes did not correlate with the virulence of the respective host-shifted lineages suggesting distinct selection scenarios in novel and original host. The occasional worker brood infestation was significantly lower than that of drone brood, except for the V. destructor haplotype (Korea) from which the invasive lineage derived. Whether mites infesting and reproducing in atypical intraspecific hosts (i.e., workers and queens) actually predisposes for and may govern the impact of host shifts on novel hosts should be determined by identifying the underlying mechanisms. In general, the apparent gaps in our knowledge of this coevolved system need to be further addressed to foster the adequate protection of wild and managed honey bees from these mites globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Zheguang Lin
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- College of Animal Science and TechnologyYangzhou UniversityYangzhouChina
| | - Gongwen Chen
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Paul Page
- Swiss Bee Research CenterAgroscopeBernSwitzerland
| | - Fuliang Hu
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Qingsheng Niu
- Apiculture Science Institute of Jilin ProvinceJilinChina
| | - Xiaoling Su
- Jinhua Academy of Agricultural SciencesJinhuaChina
| | - Panuwan Chantawannakul
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science Research Center (ESRC)Faculty of ScienceChiang Mai UniversityChiang MaiThailand
| | - Peter Neumann
- Swiss Bee Research CenterAgroscopeBernSwitzerland
- Vetsuisse FacultyInstitute of Bee HealthUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Huoqing Zheng
- College of Animal SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Vincent Dietemann
- Swiss Bee Research CenterAgroscopeBernSwitzerland
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
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