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Avalos A, Walsh E, Bixby M, Card A, Card W. A colony health and economic comparison of Varroa-resistant Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) and commercial honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2024:toae094. [PMID: 38757643 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toae094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are the premier agricultural pollinators with direct ecological value and are key to some agro-economies. Major factors have negatively impacted honey bee health in the past 2 decades with Varroa (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) infestation rising as a principal predictor of colony mortality. A key strategy deployed in Varroa management is breeding for resistant honey bee populations that can maintain comparable levels of productivity as nonresistant populations. In this study, we examine one such population, Hilo honey bees, within the context of a common garden contrast with a commercial population in a stationary honey production operation. We compare colony survival, health, yield, and profit outcomes to show how this specific breeding population retains a profit value in honey production operations while maintaining higher survival and lower Varroa infestation levels than the commercial population. This information can be used by commercial beekeepers to make best management practice decisions and inspire further work examining what trade-offs, if any, are present in this Varroa-resistant population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Avalos
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Elizabeth Walsh
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Miriam Bixby
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2125 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Andy Card
- Evergreen Honey Company, 1103 C M Davis Road, Jennings, LA 70546, USA
| | - Wes Card
- Evergreen Honey Company, 1103 C M Davis Road, Jennings, LA 70546, USA
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2
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Bianchi EM, Ferrari C, Aguirre NC, Filippi CV, Vera PA, Puebla AF, Gennari GP, Rodríguez GA, Scannapieco AC, Acuña CV, Lanzavecchia SB. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Africanized Apis mellifera colonies with natural tolerance to Varroa destructor and contrasting defensive behavior. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1175760. [PMID: 38469487 PMCID: PMC10926445 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1175760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Africanized Apis mellifera colonies with promising characteristics for beekeeping have been detected in northern Argentina (subtropical climate) and are considered of interest for breeding programs. Integral evaluation of this feral material revealed high colony strength and resistance/tolerance to brood diseases. However, these Africanized honeybees (AHB) also showed variable negative behavioral traits for beekeeping, such as defensiveness, tendency to swarm and avoidance behavior. We developed a protocol for the selection of AHB stocks based on defensive behavior and characterized contrasting colonies for this trait using NGS technologies. For this purpose, population and behavioral parameters were surveyed throughout a beekeeping season in nine daughter colonies obtained from a mother colony (A1 mitochondrial haplotype) with valuable characteristics (tolerance to the mite Varroa destructor, high colony strength and low defensiveness). A Defensive Behavior Index was developed and tested in the colonies under study. Mother and two daughter colonies displaying contrasting defensive behavior were analyzed by ddRADseq. High-quality DNA samples were obtained from 16 workers of each colony. Six pooled samples, including two replicates of each of the three colonies, were processed. A total of 12,971 SNPs were detected against the reference genome of A. mellifera, 142 of which showed significant differences between colonies. We detected SNPs in coding regions, lncRNA, miRNA, rRNA, tRNA, among others. From the original data set, we also identified 647 SNPs located in protein-coding regions, 128 of which are related to 21 genes previously associated with defensive behavior, such as dop3 and dopR2, CaMKII and ADAR, obp9 and obp10, and members of the 5-HT family. We discuss the obtained results by considering the influence of polyandry and paternal lineages on the defensive behavior in AHB and provide baseline information to use this innovative molecular approach, ddRADseq, to assist in the selection and evaluation of honey bee stocks showing low defensive behavior for commercial uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Mariel Bianchi
- Área Animal, Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco-Semiárido (IIACS) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Santa Rosa de Leales, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Carolina Ferrari
- Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Naturales y Ambientales (ECANA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia C. Aguirre
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla V. Filippi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo A. Vera
- Unidad de Genómica, Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Fabiana Puebla
- Unidad de Genómica, Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gerardo P. Gennari
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Famaillá, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Famaillá, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Graciela A. Rodríguez
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Ascasubi, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hilario Ascasubi, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Carla Scannapieco
- Instituto de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cintia V. Acuña
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia B. Lanzavecchia
- Instituto de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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3
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Zarate D, Mukogawa B, Kohn J, Nieh JC. Seasonal variation in defense behavior in European and scutellata-hybrid honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Southern California. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12790. [PMID: 37550348 PMCID: PMC10406949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38153-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nest defense in the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a complex collective behavior modulated by various interacting social, environmental, and genetic factors. Scutellata-hybrid ("Africanized") honey bees are usually considered to be far more defensive than European honey bees which are therefore preferred for commercial and hobbyist beekeeping. In the most recent zone of scutellata hybridization, the southern USA, the degree to which this defensiveness differs among current strains, and the extent to which defensiveness varies across a season has not been measured. We quantified the levels of A. m. scutellata ancestry in colonies and conducted a seasonal assessment (May through November) of colony nest defensiveness in feral scutellata-hybrid and a popular lineage of European honey bee commonly used in managed environments (sold as A. mellifera ligustica) hives at two apiaries in Southern California. Standard measures of defensiveness were low in both scutellata-hybrid and European colonies during May. Defensiveness increased during the later months of the study in scutellata-hybrid colonies. Most measures of defensiveness did not increase in managed colonies. Defensiveness in the scutellata-hybrids appears lower than what has been previously documented in Brazil and Mexico, possibly due to their lower proportion of A. m. scutellata ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Zarate
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., MC 0116, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0116, USA.
| | - Brandon Mukogawa
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., MC 0116, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0116, USA
| | - Joshua Kohn
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., MC 0116, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0116, USA
| | - James C Nieh
- Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., MC 0116, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0116, USA
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Tarpy DR, Caren JR, Delaney DA. Meta-analysis of genetic diversity and intercolony relatedness among reproductives in commercial honey bee populations. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1112898. [PMID: 38469471 PMCID: PMC10926410 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1112898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Honey bee colonies are large kin groups, each with a single mother queen and thousands of female workers. Queen bees are highly polyandrous, each mating with an average of approximately 12 drones from other colonies. We used a meta-analysis approach to compare the pedigree relationships of honey bee reproductives (queens and their mates) across five different studies and to quantify the overall genetic diversity of breeding populations. We compared the inferred genotypes of queens and their mates from microsatellite analyses of worker offspring from a feral Africanized honey bee population (which served as a negative control for inbreeding), an experimentally derived population of sister queens (which served as a positive control for inbreeding), and three separate commercially managed populations. We then compared the relatedness of all drones mated to each queen (mate-mate), all queens within each population (queen-queen), each queen with each of her mates (queen-mate), and all drones within each population (drone-drone). We found, as expected, the lowest levels of genetic similarity in the outcrossed population and highest levels of genetic similarity in the inbred population. Levels of genetic similarity among the managed honey bee populations were intermediate but closer to that of the inbred population. Genetic structuring of the entire breeding population resulted in two major subpopulations, likely deriving from breeders on the east and west coast. The effects that these findings have on the overall population genetic diversity of managed honey bees is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Tarpy
- Department of Applied Ecology, Graduate Program in Biology—Evolution & Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Joel R. Caren
- USDA-ARS, Pollinator Health Center, Stoneville, MS, United States
| | - Deborah A. Delaney
- Department of Entomology & Wildlife Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
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5
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Gmel AI, Guichard M, Dainat B, Williams GR, Eynard S, Vignal A, Servin B, Neuditschko M. Identification of runs of homozygosity in Western honey bees ( Apis mellifera) using whole-genome sequencing data. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9723. [PMID: 36694553 PMCID: PMC9843643 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are continuous homozygous segments that arise through the transmission of haplotypes that are identical by descent. The length and distribution of ROH segments provide insights into the genetic diversity of populations and can be associated with selection signatures. Here, we analyzed reconstructed whole-genome queen genotypes, from a pool-seq data experiment including 265 Western honeybee colonies from Apis mellifera mellifera and Apis mellifera carnica. Integrating individual ROH patterns and admixture levels in a dynamic population network visualization allowed us to ascertain major differences between the two subspecies. Within A. m. mellifera, we identified well-defined substructures according to the genetic origin of the queens. Despite the current applied conservation efforts, we pinpointed 79 admixed queens. Genomic inbreeding (F ROH) strongly varied within and between the identified subpopulations. Conserved A. m. mellifera from Switzerland had the highest mean F ROH (3.39%), while queens originating from a conservation area in France, which were also highly admixed, showed significantly lower F ROH (0.45%). The majority of A. m. carnica queens were also highly admixed, except 12 purebred queens with a mean F ROH of 2.33%. Within the breed-specific ROH islands, we identified 14 coding genes for A. m. mellifera and five for A. m. carnica, respectively. Local adaption of A. m. mellifera could be suggested by the identification of genes involved in the response to ultraviolet light (Crh-BP, Uvop) and body size (Hex70a, Hex70b), while the A. m. carnica specific genes Cpr3 and Cpr4 are most likely associated with the lighter striping pattern, a morphological phenotype expected in this subspecies. We demonstrated that queen genotypes derived from pooled workers are useful tool to unravel the population dynamics in A. mellifera and provide fundamental information to conserve native honey bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annik Imogen Gmel
- Animal GenoPhenomics, Animal Production Systems and Animal HealthAgroscopePosieuxSwitzerland
| | - Matthieu Guichard
- Animal GenoPhenomics, Animal Production Systems and Animal HealthAgroscopePosieuxSwitzerland
- Swiss Bee Research CentreAgroscopeLiebefeldSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Sonia Eynard
- GenPhySEINRAE, INPT, INPENVTUniversité de ToulouseCastanet‐TolosanFrance
- UMT PrADEProtection des Abeilles Dans L'EnvironnementAvignonFrance
| | - Alain Vignal
- GenPhySEINRAE, INPT, INPENVTUniversité de ToulouseCastanet‐TolosanFrance
- UMT PrADEProtection des Abeilles Dans L'EnvironnementAvignonFrance
| | - Bertrand Servin
- GenPhySEINRAE, INPT, INPENVTUniversité de ToulouseCastanet‐TolosanFrance
- UMT PrADEProtection des Abeilles Dans L'EnvironnementAvignonFrance
| | | | - Markus Neuditschko
- Animal GenoPhenomics, Animal Production Systems and Animal HealthAgroscopePosieuxSwitzerland
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Avalos A, Bilodeau L. Russian honey bee genotype identification through enhanced marker panel set. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:998310. [PMID: 38468798 PMCID: PMC10926385 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.998310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Russian honey bees (RHB) are a breeding population developed by USDA-ARS as an effort to provide Varroa-resistant honey bees to beekeepers. The selection strategy for this breeding population was the first in honey bees to incorporate genetic stock identification (GSI). The original GSI approach has been in use for over a decade, and though effective, novel technologies and analytical approaches recently developed provide an opportunity for improvement. Here we outline a novel genotyping assay that capitalizes on the markers used in the GSI as well as new loci recently identified in a whole genome pooled study of commercial honey bee stocks. Our approach utilizes a microfluidic platform and machine learning analyses to arrive at an accurate, high throughput assay. This novel approach provides an improved tool that can be readily incorporated into breeding decisions towards healthier more productive bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Avalos
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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7
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Penn HJ, Simone-Finstrom MD, de Guzman LI, Tokarz PG, Dickens R. Viral species differentially influence macronutrient preferences based on honey bee genotype. Biol Open 2022; 11:276570. [PMID: 36082847 PMCID: PMC9548382 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059039] [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] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Food quantity and macronutrients contribute to honey bee health and colony survival by mediating immune responses. We determined if this held true for bees injected with chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) and deformed wing virus (DWV), two common honey bee ssRNA viruses. Pollen-substitute diet and syrup consumption rates and macronutrient preferences of two Varroa-resistant stocks (Pol-Line and Russian bees) were compared to Varroa-susceptible Italian bees. Bee stocks varied in consumption, where Italian bees consumed more than Pol-Line and Russian bees. However, the protein: lipid (P:L) ratios of diet consumed by the Italian and Russian bees was greater than that of the Pol-Line bees. Treatment had different effects on consumption based on the virus injected. CBPV was positively correlated with syrup consumption, while DWV was not correlated with consumption. P:L ratios of consumed diet were significantly impacted by the interaction of bee stock and treatment, with the trends differing between CBPV and DWV. Variation in macronutrient preferences based on viral species may indicate differences in energetic costs associated with immune responses to infections impacting different systems. Further, virus species interacted with bee genotype, indicating different mechanisms of viral resistance or tolerance among honey bee genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Penn
- USDA ARS Sugarcane Research Unit, 5883 Usda Rd., Houma, LA, USA 70360
| | - Michael D Simone-Finstrom
- USDA ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Rd., Baton Rouge, LA, USA 70820
| | - Lilia I de Guzman
- USDA ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Rd., Baton Rouge, LA, USA 70820
| | - Philip G Tokarz
- USDA ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Rd., Baton Rouge, LA, USA 70820
| | - Rachel Dickens
- USDA ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, 1157 Ben Hur Rd., Baton Rouge, LA, USA 70820
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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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Penn HJ, Simone-Finstrom MD, de Guzman LI, Tokarz PG, Dickens R. Colony-Level Viral Load Influences Collective Foraging in Honey Bees. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:894482. [PMID: 38468777 PMCID: PMC10926460 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.894482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Nutrition is an important component of social insect colony health especially in the face of stressors such as parasitism and viral infections. Honey bees are known to preferentially select nectar and pollen based on macronutrient and phytochemical contents and in response to pathogen loads. However, given that honey bees live in colonies, collective foraging decisions may be impacted directly by forager infection status but also by colony health. This field experiment was conducted to determine if honey bee viral infections are correlated with pollen and nectar foraging and if these associations are impacted more by colony or forager infection. By comparing regressions with and without forager and colony variables and through structural equation models, we were able to determine the relative contributions of colony and forager virus loads on forager decisions. We found that foragers had higher numbers and levels of BQCV and CBPV but lower levels of DWV viruses than their respective colonies. Overall, individuals appeared to forage based a combination of their own and colony health but with greater weight given to colony metrics. Colony parasitism by Varroa mites, positively correlated with both forager and colony DWV-B levels, was negatively associated with nectar weight. Further, colony DWV-B levels were negatively associated with individually foraged pollen protein: lipid ratios but positively correlated with nectar weight and sugar content. This study shows that both colony and forager health can simultaneously mediate individual foraging decisions and that the importance of viral infections and parasite levels varies with foraging metrics. Overall, this work highlights the continued need to explore the interactions of disease, nutrition, and genetics in social interactions and structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Penn
- USDA ARS, Sugarcane Research Unit, Houma, LA, United States
| | - Michael D. Simone-Finstrom
- USDA ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Lilia I. de Guzman
- USDA ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Philip G. Tokarz
- USDA ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Rachel Dickens
- USDA ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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10
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Bilodeau L. Genetic Diversity and Structure in a Closed Breeding System of Russian Honey Bees. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:682-687. [PMID: 35078218 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab266] [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: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
High levels of genetic diversity are critical to the success of breeding programs. Russian honey bees are a selected stock that undergoes breeding in a closed block-based mating system. Given its established history, Russian stock has longitudinal measures of genetic integrity (i.e., genetically based stock identity) and diversity. Assessments using genetic stock identification (GSI) have shown that genetic diversity parameters were assessed across breeding blocks for three generations, spanning 6 yr (2014, 2017, and 2020), showing levels comparable to those when the stock was initially released in 2008. Allelic richness (mean number of alleles) and gene diversity levels were consistent over time and among blocks. Blocks were generally not differentiated from one another within each year. However, the 2020 population was distinct when compared with bees sampled in both 2014 and 2017. Genetic distance relationships supported differentiation of the 2020 population by distinct clustering. The patterns observed here are consistent with historical changes made to the breeding program to increase stringency of the selection criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lelania Bilodeau
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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11
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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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Chen C, Parejo M, Momeni J, Langa J, Nielsen RO, Shi W, Vingborg R, Kryger P, Bouga M, Estonba A, Meixner M. Population Structure and Diversity in European Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)—An Empirical Comparison of Pool and Individual Whole-Genome Sequencing. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020182. [PMID: 35205227 PMCID: PMC8872436 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Whole-genome sequencing has become routine for population genetic studies. Sequencing of individuals provides maximal data but is rather expensive and fewer samples can be studied. In contrast, sequencing a pool of samples (pool-seq) can provide sufficient data, while presenting less of an economic challenge. Few studies have compared the two approaches to infer population genetic structure and diversity in real datasets. Here, we apply individual sequencing (ind-seq) and pool-seq to the study of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera). Methods: We collected honey bee workers that belonged to 14 populations, including 13 subspecies, totaling 1347 colonies, who were individually (139 individuals) and pool-sequenced (14 pools). We compared allele frequencies, genetic diversity estimates, and population structure as inferred by the two approaches. Results: Pool-seq and ind-seq revealed near identical population structure and genetic diversities, albeit at different costs. While pool-seq provides genome-wide polymorphism data at considerably lower costs, ind-seq can provide additional information, including the identification of population substructures, hybridization, or individual outliers. Conclusions: If costs are not the limiting factor, we recommend using ind-seq, as population genetic structure can be inferred similarly well, with the advantage gained from individual genetic information. Not least, it also significantly reduces the effort required for the collection of numerous samples and their further processing in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Chen
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100093, China
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Melanie Parejo
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (J.L.); (A.E.)
- Swiss Bee Research Center, Agroscope, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Jamal Momeni
- Eurofins Genomics, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (J.M.); (R.O.N.); (R.V.)
| | - Jorge Langa
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (J.L.); (A.E.)
| | | | - Wei Shi
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100093, China
| | | | - Rikke Vingborg
- Eurofins Genomics, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (J.M.); (R.O.N.); (R.V.)
| | - Per Kryger
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark;
| | - Maria Bouga
- Lab of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Andone Estonba
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain; (J.L.); (A.E.)
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Penn HJ, Simone-Finstrom M, Lang S, Chen J, Healy K. Host Genotype and Tissue Type Determine DWV Infection Intensity. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 1:756690. [PMID: 38468897 PMCID: PMC10926404 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2021.756690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Varroa mite-vectored viruses such as Deformed wing virus (DWV) are of great concern for honey bee health as they can cause disease in individuals and increase colony mortality. Two genotypes of DWV (A and B) are prevalent in the United States and may have differential virulence and pathogenicity. Honey bee genetic stocks bred to resist Varroa mites also exhibit differential infection responses to the Varroa mite-vectored viruses. The goal of this project was to determine if interactions between host genotype could influence the overall infection levels and dissemination of DWV within honey bees. To do this, we injected DWV isolated from symptomatic adult bees into mite-free, newly emerged adult bees from five genetic stocks with varying levels of resistance to Varroa mites. We measured DWV-A and DWV-B dissemination among tissues chosen based on relevance to general health outcomes for 10 days. Injury from sham injections did not increase DWV-A levels but did increase DWV-B infections. DWV injection increased both DWV-A and DWV-B levels over time with significant host stock interactions. While we did not observe any differences in viral dissemination among host stocks, we found differences in virus genotype dissemination to different body parts. DWV-A exhibited the highest initial levels in heads and legs while the highest initial levels of DWV-B were found in heads and abdomens. These interactions underscore the need to evaluate viral genotype and tissue specificity in conjunction with host genotype, particularly when the host has been selected for traits relative to virus-vector and virus resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Penn
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Sugarcane Research Unit, Houma, LA, United States
| | - Michael Simone-Finstrom
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Sarah Lang
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Judy Chen
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Kristen Healy
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University Agriculture Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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Bhatia S, Baral SS, Vega Melendez C, Amiri E, Rueppell O. Comparing Survival of Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus Infection among Stocks of U.S. Honey Bees. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12010060. [PMID: 33445412 PMCID: PMC7827508 DOI: 10.3390/insects12010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Honey bees and other pollinators are threatened by numerous stressors, including virus infections. Currently, no effective treatments are available, stressing the importance of natural defenses. These defenses may be enhanced through selective breeding. This study sought to evaluate the potential for breeding, while also testing a few potential mechanisms of natural immune responses and assessing how widespread viruses are in commercial honey bee queens in the U.S. We identified significant differences in survival of virus infection among and within U.S honey bee stocks, indicating that selective breeding may be able to decrease the virus susceptibility of honey bees. Survival differences may be related to differences in the natural immune system of honey bees and could relate to how much virus stress bees have experienced in the past. Abstract Among numerous viruses that infect honey bees (Apis mellifera), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) can be linked to severe honey bee health problems. Breeding for virus resistance may improve honey bee health. To evaluate the potential for this approach, we compared the survival of IAPV infection among stocks from the U.S. We complemented the survival analysis with a survey of existing viruses in these stocks and assessing constitutive and induced expression of immune genes. Worker offspring from selected queens in a common apiary were inoculated with IAPV by topical applications after emergence to assess subsequent survival. Differences among stocks were small compared to variation within stocks, indicating the potential for improving honey bee survival of virus infections in all stocks. A positive relation between worker survival and virus load among stocks further suggested that honey bees may be able to adapt to better cope with viruses, while our molecular studies indicate that toll-6 may be related to survival differences among virus-infected worker bees. Together, these findings highlight the importance of viruses in queen breeding operations and provide a promising starting point for the quest to improve honey bee health by selectively breeding stock to be better able to survive virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Bhatia
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27403, USA; (S.B.); (S.S.B.); (C.V.M.); (E.A.)
- Department of Applied Science & Technology, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University, 1601 E Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Saman S. Baral
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27403, USA; (S.B.); (S.S.B.); (C.V.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Carlos Vega Melendez
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27403, USA; (S.B.); (S.S.B.); (C.V.M.); (E.A.)
- US Dairy Forage Research Center, USDA-ARS, 1925 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Esmaeil Amiri
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27403, USA; (S.B.); (S.S.B.); (C.V.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 321 McIver Street, Greensboro, NC 27403, USA; (S.B.); (S.S.B.); (C.V.M.); (E.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-336-2022349
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