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Arzumanyan H, Avagyan H, Voskanyan H, Simonyan L, Simonyan J, Semirjyan Z, Karalyan Z. First molecular detection of the presence of honey bee viruses in insects, Varroa destructor mites, and pollinated plants in an isolated region of Armenia. Vet World 2023; 16:1029-1034. [PMID: 37576754 PMCID: PMC10420706 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1029-1034] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Recently, viral diseases of honey bees (Apis mellifera) have presented an increasing threat to beekeeping. This study aimed to examine the presence of honey bee viruses in Apis and non-Apis bee species, the mite Varroa destructor, and pollinated plants in Armenia. Materials and Methods Sampling was performed in Tavush Province, in the northeast of the Republic of Armenia, from August to November 2019. Overall, 200 A. mellifera bees, 50 V. destructor mites, and 20 wasps were collected (corresponding to three bees, five mites, and 2-11 wasps in each investigated sample) and homogenized for RNA isolation and detection of viruses. Ten pollinated plants were taken from each plant, and 2 g of each sample was used for homogenization. In each investigated case Apis mellifera, Varroa destructor, Vespula germanica and plants received percentages of the virus presence. Results Six important honey bee viruses (acute bee paralysis virus [ABPV], deformed wing virus [DWV], A. mellifera norovirus [ANV], Lake Sinai virus-2 [LSV-2], Big Sioux River virus [BSRV], and A. mellifera filamentous virus [AmFV]) were detected in samples by polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that DWV, ANV, and ABPV were the most common viruses in honey bees. All viruses were detected in wasps, but LSV-2 and ANV were present in almost all samples. Conclusion Our results showed that almost all viruses were present in V. destructor. Although ANV is very common in honey bees, it did not appear in any mite samples. Our study indicates that viruses typically associated with honey bees were also actively infecting wasps. Our data suggest that the survival of viruses in plants can be an important source of seasonal transmission of viruses to bees. In addition, pollinated plants can potentially serve as reservoirs for honey bee viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hranush Arzumanyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hranush Avagyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
- Experimental Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Henry Voskanyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
- Scientific Center for Risks Assessment and Analysis in Food Safety Area, CJCS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Liana Simonyan
- Scientific Center for Risks Assessment and Analysis in Food Safety Area, CJCS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Jon Simonyan
- Scientific Center for Risks Assessment and Analysis in Food Safety Area, CJCS, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Zara Semirjyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
- Experimental Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Zaven Karalyan
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Virology, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS RA, Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Medical Biology, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
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2
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Rodríguez-Flores MS, Mazzei M, Felicioli A, Diéguez-Antón A, Seijo MC. Emerging Risk of Cross-Species Transmission of Honey Bee Viruses in the Presence of Invasive Vespid Species. INSECTS 2022; 14:6. [PMID: 36661935 PMCID: PMC9866884 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The increase in invasive alien species is a concern for the environment. The establishment of some of these species may be changing the balance between pathogenicity and host factors, which could alter the defense strategies of native host species. Vespid species are among the most successful invasive animals, such as the genera Vespa, Vespula and Polistes. Bee viruses have been extensively studied as an important cause of honey bee population losses. However, knowledge about the transmission of honey bee viruses in Vespids is a relevant and under-researched aspect. The role of some mites such as Varroa in the transmission of honey bee viruses is clearer than in the case of Vespidae. This type of transmission by vectors has not yet been clarified in Vespidae, with interspecific relationships being the main hypotheses accepted for the transmission of bee viruses. A majority of studies describe the presence of viruses or their replicability, but aspects such as the symptomatology in Vespids or the ability to infect other hosts from Vespids are scarcely discussed. Highlighting the case of Vespa velutina as an invader, which is causing huge losses in European beekeeping, is of special interest. The pressure caused by V. velutina leads to weakened hives that become susceptible to pathogens. Gathering this information is necessary to promote further research on the spread of bee viruses in ecosystems invaded by invasive species of Vespids, as well as to prevent the decline of bee populations due to bee viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurizio Mazzei
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Felicioli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ana Diéguez-Antón
- Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - María Carmen Seijo
- Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, University of Vigo, Campus As Lagoas, 32004 Ourense, Spain
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3
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Withers AJ, Rice A, de Boer J, Donkersley P, Pearson AJ, Chipabika G, Karangwa P, Uzayisenga B, Mensah BA, Mensah SA, Nkunika POY, Kachigamba D, Smith JA, Jones CM, Wilson K. The distribution of covert microbial natural enemies of a globally invasive crop pest, fall armyworm, in Africa: Enemy release and spillover events. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:1826-1841. [PMID: 35678697 PMCID: PMC9544759 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Invasive species pose a significant threat to biodiversity and agriculture world‐wide. Natural enemies play an important part in controlling pest populations, yet we understand very little about the presence and prevalence of natural enemies during the early invasion stages. Microbial natural enemies of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda are known in its native region, however, they have not yet been identified in Africa where fall armyworm has been an invasive crop pest since 2016. Larval samples were screened from Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, Sudan and Ghana for the presence of four different microbial natural enemies; two nucleopolyhedroviruses, Spodoptera frugiperda NPV (SfMNPV) and Spodoptera exempta NPV (SpexNPV); the fungal pathogen Metarhizium rileyi; and the bacterium Wolbachia. This study aimed to identify which microbial pathogens are present in invasive fall armyworm, and determine the geographical, meteorological and temporal variables that influence prevalence. Within 3 years of arrival, fall armyworm was exposed to all four microbial natural enemies. SfMNPV probably arrived with fall armyworm from the Americas, but this is the first putative evidence of host spillover from Spodoptera exempta (African armyworm) to fall armyworm for the endemic pathogen SpexNPV and for Wolbachia. It is also the first confirmed incidence of M. rileyi infecting fall armyworm in Africa. Natural enemies were localised, with variation being observed both nationally and temporally. The prevalence of SfMNPV (the most common natural enemy) was predominantly explained by variables associated with the weather; declining with increasing rainfall and increasing with temperature. However, virus prevalence also increased as the growing season progressed. The infection of an invasive species with a natural enemy from its native range and novel pathogens specific to its new range has important consequences for understanding the population ecology of invasive species and insect–pathogen interactions. Additionally, while it is widely known that temporal and geographic factors affect insect populations, this study reveals that these are important in understanding the distribution of microbial natural enemies associated with invasive pests during the early stages of invasion, and provide baseline data for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Withers
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - Annabel Rice
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Karangwa
- Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, Rubona, Rwanda
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher M Jones
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.,Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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4
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Lester PJ, Felden A, Baty JW, Bulgarella M, Haywood J, Mortensen AN, Remnant EJ, Smeele ZE. Viral communities in the parasite Varroa destructor and in colonies of their honey bee host (Apis mellifera) in New Zealand. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8809. [PMID: 35614309 PMCID: PMC9133037 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12888-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is a leading cause of mortality for Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies around the globe. We sought to confirm the presence and likely introduction of only one V. destructor haplotype in New Zealand, and describe the viral community within both V. destructor mites and the bees that they parasitise. A 1232 bp fragment from mitochondrial gene regions suggests the likely introduction of only one V. destructor haplotype to New Zealand. Seventeen viruses were found in bees. The most prevalent and abundant was the Deformed wing virus A (DWV-A) strain, which explained 95.0% of the variation in the viral community of bees. Black queen cell virus, Sacbrood virus, and Varroa destructor virus 2 (VDV-2) played secondary roles. DWV-B and the Israeli acute paralysis virus appeared absent from New Zealand. Ten viruses were observed in V. destructor, with > 99.9% of viral reads from DWV-A and VDV-2. Substantially more variation in viral loads was observed in bees compared to mites. Where high levels of VDV-2 occurred in mites, reduced DWV-A occurred in both the mites and the bees co-occurring within the same hive. Where there were high loads of DWV-A in mites, there were typically high viral loads in bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Lester
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand.
| | - Antoine Felden
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - James W Baty
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - Mariana Bulgarella
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - John Haywood
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - Ashley N Mortensen
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 3230, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Emily J Remnant
- Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Science Road, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Zoe E Smeele
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
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5
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Wilson Rankin EE. Emerging patterns in social wasp invasions. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 46:72-77. [PMID: 33667693 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species are a main driver of biodiversity loss and ecological change globally. Consequently, there is a need to understand how invaders damage ecosystems and to develop effective management strategies. Social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) include some of the world's most ecologically damaging invasive insects. In recent decades, the invasive social wasp literature has grown rapidly. This may be due in part to increased rate of introduction as well as greater public awareness of invasive wasps and their potential negative impacts on bees. Here, we investigate trends in invasive social wasp research, identifying the emergence of Vespa invasions, the mechanism-based inquiry into Vespula invasions, and the increased application of molecular methods to track invasive species through the invasion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Wilson Rankin
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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6
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Rothman JA, Loope KJ, McFrederick QS, Wilson Rankin EE. Microbiome of the wasp Vespula pensylvanica in native and invasive populations, and associations with Moku virus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255463. [PMID: 34324610 PMCID: PMC8321129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species present a worldwide concern as competition and pathogen reservoirs for native species. Specifically, the invasive social wasp, Vespula pensylvanica, is native to western North America and has become naturalized in Hawaii, where it exerts pressures on native arthropod communities as a competitor and predator. As invasive species may alter the microbial and disease ecology of their introduced ranges, there is a need to understand the microbiomes and virology of social wasps. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the microbiome of V. pensylvanica samples pooled by colony across two geographically distinct ranges and found that wasps generally associate with taxa within the bacterial genera Fructobacillus, Fructilactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, and Zymobacter, and likely associate with environmentally-acquired bacteria. Furthermore, V. pensylvanica harbors-and in some cases were dominated by-many endosymbionts including Wolbachia, Sodalis, Arsenophonus, and Rickettsia, and were found to contain bee-associated taxa, likely due to scavenging on or predation upon honey bees. Next, we used reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR to assay colony-level infection intensity for Moku virus (family: Iflaviridae), a recently-described disease that is known to infect multiple Hymenopteran species. While Moku virus was prevalent and in high titer, it did not associate with microbial diversity, indicating that the microbiome may not directly interact with Moku virus in V. pensylvanica in meaningful ways. Collectively, our results suggest that the invasive social wasp V. pensylvanica associates with a simple microbiome, may be infected with putative endosymbionts, likely acquires bacterial taxa from the environment and diet, and is often infected with Moku virus. Our results suggest that V. pensylvanica, like other invasive social insects, has the potential to act as a reservoir for bacteria pathogenic to other pollinators, though this requires experimental demonstration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A. Rothman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California: Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Kevin J. Loope
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, United States of America
| | - Quinn S. McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California: Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Erin E. Wilson Rankin
- Department of Entomology, University of California: Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
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7
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Remnant EJ, Baty JW, Bulgarella M, Dobelmann J, Quinn O, Gruber MAM, Lester PJ. A Diverse Viral Community from Predatory Wasps in Their Native and Invaded Range, with a New Virus Infectious to Honey Bees. Viruses 2021; 13:1431. [PMID: 34452301 PMCID: PMC8402789 DOI: 10.3390/v13081431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Wasps of the genus Vespula are social insects that have become major pests and predators in their introduced range. Viruses present in these wasps have been studied in the context of spillover from honey bees, yet we lack an understanding of the endogenous virome of wasps as potential reservoirs of novel emerging infectious diseases. We describe the characterization of 68 novel and nine previously identified virus sequences found in transcriptomes of Vespula vulgaris in colonies sampled from their native range (Belgium) and an invasive range (New Zealand). Many viruses present in the samples were from the Picorna-like virus family (38%). We identified one Luteo-like virus, Vespula vulgaris Luteo-like virus 1, present in the three life stages examined in all colonies from both locations, suggesting this virus is a highly prevalent and persistent infection in wasp colonies. Additionally, we identified a novel Iflavirus with similarity to a recently identified Moku virus, a known wasp and honey bee pathogen. Experimental infection of honey bees with this novel Vespula vulgaris Moku-like virus resulted in an active infection. The high viral diversity present in these invasive wasps is a likely indication that their polyphagous diet is a rich source of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Remnant
- Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Science Road, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - James W. Baty
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; (J.W.B.); (M.B.); (J.D.); (O.Q.); (M.A.M.G.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Mariana Bulgarella
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; (J.W.B.); (M.B.); (J.D.); (O.Q.); (M.A.M.G.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Jana Dobelmann
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; (J.W.B.); (M.B.); (J.D.); (O.Q.); (M.A.M.G.); (P.J.L.)
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Oliver Quinn
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; (J.W.B.); (M.B.); (J.D.); (O.Q.); (M.A.M.G.); (P.J.L.)
- Bacteriology and Aquatic Animal Diseases, Ministry for Primary Industries, P.O. Box 2526, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Monica A. M. Gruber
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; (J.W.B.); (M.B.); (J.D.); (O.Q.); (M.A.M.G.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Philip J. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; (J.W.B.); (M.B.); (J.D.); (O.Q.); (M.A.M.G.); (P.J.L.)
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8
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Gabín-García LB, Bartolomé C, Guerra-Tort C, Rojas-Nossa SV, Llovo J, Maside X. Identification of pathogens in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina and in native Hymenoptera (Apidae, Vespidae) from SW-Europe. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11233. [PMID: 34045562 PMCID: PMC8160249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90615-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species contribute to deteriorate the health of ecosystems due to their direct effects on native fauna and the local parasite-host dynamics. We studied the potential impact of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina on the European parasite-host system by comparing the patterns of diversity and abundance of pathogens (i.e. Microsporidia: Nosematidae; Euglenozoa: Trypanosomatidae and Apicomplexa: Lipotrophidae) in European V. velutina specimens with those in the native European hornet Vespa crabro, as well as other common Hymenoptera (genera Vespula, Polistes and Bombus). We show that (i) V. velutina harbours most common hymenopteran enteropathogens as well as several new parasitic taxa. (ii) Parasite diversity in V. velutina is most similar to that of V. crabro. (iii) No unambiguous evidence of pathogen release by V. velutina was detected. This evidence together with the extraordinary population densities that V. velutina reaches in Europe (around of 100,000 individuals per km2 per year), mean that this invasive species could severely alter the native pathogen-host dynamics either by actively contributing to the dispersal of the parasites and/or by directly interacting with them, which could have unexpected long-term harmful consequences on the native entomofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis B Gabín-García
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Carla Guerra-Tort
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Sandra V Rojas-Nossa
- Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Galiza, Spain
| | - José Llovo
- Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain
| | - Xulio Maside
- CiMUS P2D2, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. de Barcelona s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain. .,Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Galiza, Spain.
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9
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Viral load, not food availability or temperature, predicts colony longevity in an invasive eusocial wasp with plastic life history. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10087. [PMID: 33980970 PMCID: PMC8115236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89607-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Social insect colonies exhibit a variety of life history strategies, from the annual, semelparous colonies of temperate bees and wasps to the long-lived colonies of many ants and honeybees. Species introduced to novel habitats may exhibit plasticity in life history strategies as a result of the introduction, but the factors governing these changes often remain obscure. Vespula pensylvanica, a yellowjacket wasp, exhibits such plasticity in colony longevity. Multi-year (perennial) colonies are relatively common in introduced populations in Hawaii, while source populations in the western United States are typically on an annual cycle. Here, we use experiments and observational data to examine how diet, disease, nest thermal environment, and nest location influence colony longevity in a population with both annual and perennial colonies. Counter to our predictions, experimental feeding and warming did not increase colony survival in the winter in the introduced range. However, Moku Virus load and wasp colony density predicted colony survival in one year, suggesting a potential role for disease in modulating colony phenology. We also found that local V. pensylvanica colony density was positively correlated with Moku Virus loads, and that Arsenophonus sp. bacterial loads in V. pensylvanica colonies were positively associated with proximity to feral honeybee (Apis mellifera) hives, suggesting potential transmission routes for these poorly understood symbionts. The factors influencing colony longevity in this population are likely multiple and interactive. More important than food availability, we propose winter precipitation as a critical factor that may explain temporal and spatial variation in colony longevity in these invasive wasps.
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10
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Norton AM, Remnant EJ, Tom J, Buchmann G, Blacquiere T, Beekman M. Adaptation to vector-based transmission in a honeybee virus. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2254-2267. [PMID: 33844844 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Global pollinator declines as a result of emerging infectious diseases are of major concern. Managed honeybees Apis mellifera are susceptible to numerous parasites and pathogens, many of which appear to be transmissible to sympatric non-Apis taxa. The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is considered to be the most significant threat to honeybees due to its role in vectoring RNA viruses, particularly Deformed wing virus (DWV). Vector transmission of DWV has resulted in the accumulation of high viral loads in honeybees and is often associated with colony death. DWV has two main genotypes, A and B. DWV-A was more prevalent during the initial phase of V. destructor establishment. In recent years, the global prevalence of DWV-B has increased, suggesting that DWV-B is better adapted to vector transmission than DWV-A. We aimed to determine the role vector transmission plays in DWV genotype prevalence at a colony level. We experimentally increased or decreased the number of V. destructor mites in honeybee colonies, and tracked DWV-A and DWV-B loads over a period of 10 months. Our results show that the two DWV genotypes differ in their response to mite numbers. DWV-A accumulation in honeybees was positively correlated with mite numbers yet DWV-A was largely undetected in the absence of the mite. In contrast, colonies had high loads of DWV-B even when mite numbers were low. DWV-B loads persisted in miticide-treated colonies, indicating that this genotype has a competitive advantage over DWV-A irrespective of mite numbers. Our findings suggest that the global increase in DWV-B prevalence is not driven by selective pressure by the vector. Rather, DWV-B is able to persist in colonies at higher viral loads relative to DWV-A in the presence and absence of V. destructor. The interplay between V. destructor and DWV genotypes within honeybee colonies may have broad consequences upon viral diversity in sympatric taxa as a result of spillover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Norton
- Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily J Remnant
- Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jolanda Tom
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriele Buchmann
- Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Madeleine Beekman
- Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Highfield A, Kevill J, Mordecai G, Hunt J, Henderson S, Sauvard D, Feltwell J, Martin SJ, Sumner S, Schroeder DC. Detection and Replication of Moku Virus in Honey Bees and Social Wasps. Viruses 2020; 12:v12060607. [PMID: 32498304 PMCID: PMC7354477 DOI: 10.3390/v12060607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of honey bee viruses to other insects, and vice versa, has previously been reported and the true ecological importance of this phenomenon is still being realized. Members of the family Vespidae interact with honey bees via predation or through the robbing of brood or honey from colonies, and these activities could result in virus transfer. In this study we screened Vespa velutina and Vespa crabro collected from Europe and China and also honey bees and Vespula vulgaris from the UK for Moku virus (MV), an Iflavirus first discovered in the predatory social wasp Vespula pensylvanica in Hawaii. MV was found in 71% of Vespulavulgaris screened and was also detected in UK Vespa crabro. Only seven percent of Vespa velutina individuals screened were MV-positive and these were exclusively samples from Jersey. Of 69 honey bee colonies screened, 43% tested positive for MV. MV replication was confirmed in Apis mellifera and Vespidae species, being most frequently detected in Vespulavulgaris. MV sequences from the UK were most similar to MV from Vespulapensylvanica compared to MV from Vespa velutina in Belgium. The implications of the transfer of viruses between the Vespidae and honey bees are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Highfield
- The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; (G.M.); (J.H.); (S.H.)
- Correspondence: (A.H.); (D.C.S.); Tel.: +1-612-413-0030 (D.C.S.)
| | - Jessica Kevill
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK; (J.K.); (S.J.M.)
- Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Gideon Mordecai
- The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; (G.M.); (J.H.); (S.H.)
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Jade Hunt
- The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; (G.M.); (J.H.); (S.H.)
| | - Summer Henderson
- The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; (G.M.); (J.H.); (S.H.)
| | | | - John Feltwell
- Wildlife Matters Consultancy Unit, Battle, East Sussex TN33 9BN, UK;
| | - Stephen J. Martin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK; (J.K.); (S.J.M.)
| | - Seirian Sumner
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Declan C. Schroeder
- The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK; (G.M.); (J.H.); (S.H.)
- Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6LA, UK
- Correspondence: (A.H.); (D.C.S.); Tel.: +1-612-413-0030 (D.C.S.)
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12
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Dhaygude K, Johansson H, Kulmuni J, Sundström L. Genome organization and molecular characterization of the three Formica exsecta viruses-FeV1, FeV2 and FeV4. PeerJ 2019; 6:e6216. [PMID: 30809424 PMCID: PMC6387575 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the genome organization and molecular characterization of the three Formica exsecta viruses, along with ORF predictions, and functional annotation of genes. The Formica exsecta virus-4 (FeV4; GenBank ID: MF287670) is a newly discovered negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus representing the first identified member of order Mononegavirales in ants, whereas the Formica exsecta virus-1 (FeV1; GenBank ID: KF500001), and the Formica exsecta virus-2 (FeV2; GenBank ID: KF500002) are positive single-stranded RNA viruses initially identified (but not characterized) in our earlier study. The new virus FeV4 was found by re-analyzing data from a study published earlier. The Formica exsecta virus-4 genome is 9,866 bp in size, with an overall G + C content of 44.92%, and containing five predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Our bioinformatics analysis indicates that gaps are absent and the ORFs are complete, which based on our comparative genomics analysis suggests that the genomes are complete. Following the characterization, we validate virus infection for FeV1, FeV2 and FeV4 for the first time in field-collected worker ants. Some colonies were infected by multiple viruses, and the viruses were observed to infect all castes, and multiple life stages of workers and queens. Finally, highly similar viruses were expressed in adult workers and queens of six other Formica species: F. fusca, F. pressilabris, F. pratensis, F. aquilonia, F. truncorum and F. cinerea. This research indicates that viruses can be shared between ant species, but further studies on viral transmission are needed to understand viral infection pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor Dhaygude
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helena Johansson
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonna Kulmuni
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Liselotte Sundström
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Hanko, Finland
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13
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Loope KJ, Baty JW, Lester PJ, Wilson Rankin EE. Pathogen shifts in a honeybee predator following the arrival of the Varroa mite. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20182499. [PMID: 30963859 PMCID: PMC6367166 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a global threat to honeybees, and spillover from managed bees threaten wider insect populations. Deformed wing virus (DWV), a widespread virus that has become emergent in conjunction with the spread of the mite Varroa destructor, is thought to be partly responsible for global colony losses. The arrival of Varroa in honeybee populations causes a dramatic loss of viral genotypic diversity, favouring a few virulent strains. Here, we investigate DWV spillover in an invasive Hawaiian population of the wasp, Vespula pensylvanica, a honeybee predator and honey-raider. We show that Vespula underwent a parallel loss in DWV variant diversity upon the arrival of Varroa, despite the mite being a honeybee specialist. The observed shift in Vespula DWV and the variant-sharing between Vespula and Apis suggest that these wasps can acquire DWV directly or indirectly from honeybees. Apis prey items collected from Vespula foragers were positive for DWV, indicating predation is a possible route of transmission. We also sought cascading effects of DWV shifts in a broader Vespula pathogen community. We identified concurrent changes in a suite of additional pathogens, as well as shifts in the associations between these pathogens in Vespula. These findings reveal how hidden effects of the Varroa mite can, via spillover, transform the composition of pathogens in interacting species, with potential knock-on effects for entire pathogen communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Loope
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - James W. Baty
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip J. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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14
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Lester PJ, Beggs JR. Invasion Success and Management Strategies for Social Vespula Wasps. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 64:51-71. [PMID: 30256668 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011118-111812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Three species of Vespula have become invasive in Australia, Hawai'i, New Zealand, and North and South America and continue to spread. These social wasp species can achieve high nest densities, and their behavioral plasticity has led to substantial impacts on recipient communities. Ecologically, they affect all trophic levels, restructuring communities and altering resource flows. Economically, their main negative effect is associated with pollination and the apicultural industry. Climate change is likely to exacerbate their impacts in many regions. Introduced Vespula spp. likely experience some degree of enemy release from predators or parasites, although they are exposed to a wide range of microbial pathogens in both their native and introduced range. Toxic baits have been significantly improved over the last decade, enabling effective landscape-level control. Although investigated extensively, no effective biological control agents have yet been found. Emerging technologies such as gene drives are under consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand;
| | - Jacqueline R Beggs
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1072, New Zealand;
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15
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Repeated reduction in parasite diversity in invasive populations of Xenopus laevis: a global experiment in enemy release. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1902-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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16
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Quinn O, Gruber MAM, Brown RL, Baty JW, Bulgarella M, Lester PJ. A metatranscriptomic analysis of diseased social wasps (Vespula vulgaris) for pathogens, with an experimental infection of larvae and nests. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209589. [PMID: 30596703 PMCID: PMC6312278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Social wasps are a major pest in many countries around the world. Pathogens may influence wasp populations and could provide an option for population management via biological control. We investigated the pathology of nests of apparently healthy common wasps, Vespula vulgaris, with nests apparently suffering disease. First, next-generation sequencing and metatranscriptomic analysis were used to examine pathogen presence. The transcriptome of healthy and diseased V. vulgaris showed 27 known microbial phylotypes. Four of these were observed in diseased larvae alone (Aspergillus fumigatus, Moellerella wisconsensis, Moku virus, and the microsporidian Vavraia culicis). Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV) was found to be present in both healthy and diseased larvae. Moellerella wisconsensis is a human pathogen that was potentially misidentified in our wasps by the MEGAN analysis: it is more likely to be the related bacteria Hafnia alvei that is known to infect social insects. The closest identification to the putative pathogen identified as Vavraia culicis was likely to be another microsporidian Nosema vulgaris. PCR and subsequent Sanger sequencing using published or our own designed primers, confirmed the identity of Moellerella sp. (which may be Hafnia alvei), Aspergillus sp., KBV, Moku virus and Nosema. Secondly, we used an infection study by homogenising diseased wasp larvae and feeding them to entire nests of larvae in the laboratory. Three nests transinfected with diseased larvae all died within 19 days. No pathogen that we monitored, however, had a significantly higher prevalence in diseased than in healthy larvae. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that pathogen infections were significantly correlated, such as between KBV and Aspergillus sp. Social wasps clearly suffer from an array of pathogens, which may lead to the collapse of nests and larval death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Quinn
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Monica A. M. Gruber
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Robert L. Brown
- Biodiversity and Conservation, Manaaki Whenua–Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - James W. Baty
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Mariana Bulgarella
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip J. Lester
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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17
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Cooling MD, Hoffmann BD, Gruber MAM, Lester PJ. Indirect evidence of pathogen-associated altered oocyte production in queens of the invasive yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes, in Arnhem Land, Australia. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2018; 108:451-460. [PMID: 28920560 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485317000967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Anoplolepis gracilipes is one of the six most widespread and pestiferous invasive ant species. Populations of this invader in Arnhem Land, Australia have been observed to decline, but the reasons behind these declines are not known. We investigated if there is evidence of a pathogen that could be responsible for killing ant queens or affecting their reproductive output. We measured queen number per nest, fecundity and fat content of queens from A. gracilipes populations in various stages of decline or expansion. We found no significant difference in any of these variables among populations. However, 23% of queens were found to have melanized nodules, a cellular immune response, in their ovaries and fat bodies. The melanized nodules found in dissected queens are highly likely to indicate the presence of pathogens or parasites capable of infecting A. gracilipes. Queens with nodules had significantly fewer oocytes in their ovaries, but nodule presence was not associated with low ant population abundances. Although the microorganism responsible for the nodules is as yet unidentified, this is the first evidence of the presence of a pathogenic microorganism in the invasive ant A. gracilipes that may be affecting reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Cooling
- School of Biological Sciences,Victoria University of Wellington,PO Box 600,Wellington 6140,New Zealand
| | - B D Hoffmann
- CSIRO,Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre,PMB 44,Winnellie,NT 0822,Australia
| | - M A M Gruber
- School of Biological Sciences,Victoria University of Wellington,PO Box 600,Wellington 6140,New Zealand
| | - P J Lester
- School of Biological Sciences,Victoria University of Wellington,PO Box 600,Wellington 6140,New Zealand
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18
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The origins of global invasions of the German wasp (Vespula germanica) and its infection with four honey bee viruses. Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1786-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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19
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Gruber MAM, Cooling M, Baty JW, Buckley K, Friedlander A, Quinn O, Russell JFEJ, Sébastien A, Lester PJ. Single-stranded RNA viruses infecting the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3304. [PMID: 28607437 PMCID: PMC5468335 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Social insects host a diversity of viruses. We examined New Zealand populations of the globally widely distributed invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) for RNA viruses. We used metatranscriptomic analysis, which identified six potential novel viruses in the Dicistroviridae family. Of these, three contigs were confirmed by Sanger sequencing as Linepithema humile virus-1 (LHUV-1), a novel strain of Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Black queen cell virus (BQCV), while the others were chimeric or misassembled sequences. We extended the known sequence of LHUV-1 to confirm its placement in the Dicistroviridae and categorised its relationship to closest relatives, which were all viruses infecting Hymenoptera. We examined further for known viruses by mapping our metatranscriptomic sequences to all viral genomes, and confirmed KBV, BQCV, LHUV-1 and Deformed wing virus (DWV) presence using qRT-PCR. Viral replication was confirmed for DWV, KBV and LHUV-1. Viral titers in ants were higher in the presence of honey bee hives. Argentine ants appear to host a range of' honey bee' pathogens in addition to a virus currently described only from this invasive ant. The role of these viruses in the population dynamics of the ant remain to be determined, but offer potential targets for biocontrol approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A M Gruber
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 1762, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Meghan Cooling
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 1762, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - James W Baty
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 7060, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Buckley
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Anna Friedlander
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Oliver Quinn
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jessica F E J Russell
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alexandra Sébastien
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip J Lester
- Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
- Pacific Biosecurity, Victoria Link Limited, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 1762, Wellington, New Zealand
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20
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Dobelmann J, Loope KJ, Wilson-Rankin E, Quinn O, Baty JW, Gruber MAM, Lester PJ. Fitness in invasive social wasps: the role of variation in viral load, immune response and paternity in predicting nest size and reproductive output. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin J. Loope
- Dept of Entomology; Univ. of California-Riverside; Riverside CA USA
| | | | - Oliver Quinn
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria Univ. of Wellington; PO Box 600 Wellington 6140 New Zealand
| | - James W. Baty
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria Univ. of Wellington; PO Box 600 Wellington 6140 New Zealand
- Malaghan Inst. of Medical Research; Wellington New Zealand
| | - Monica A. M. Gruber
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria Univ. of Wellington; PO Box 600 Wellington 6140 New Zealand
| | - Philip J. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria Univ. of Wellington; PO Box 600 Wellington 6140 New Zealand
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21
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Lester PJ, Haywood J, Archer ME, Shortall CR. The long-term population dynamics of common wasps in their native and invaded range. J Anim Ecol 2017; 86:337-347. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philip J. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences; Victoria University of Wellington; PO Box 600 Wellington New Zealand
| | - John Haywood
- School of Mathematics and Statistics; Victoria University of Wellington; PO Box 600 Wellington New Zealand
| | | | - Chris R. Shortall
- Rothamsted Insect Survey; Department of Agroecology; Rothamsted Research; Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ UK
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Kamenova S, Bartley T, Bohan D, Boutain J, Colautti R, Domaizon I, Fontaine C, Lemainque A, Le Viol I, Mollot G, Perga ME, Ravigné V, Massol F. Invasions Toolkit. ADV ECOL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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23
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24
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Sébastien A, Lester PJ, Hall RJ, Wang J, Moore NE, Gruber MAM. Invasive ants carry novel viruses in their new range and form reservoirs for a honeybee pathogen. Biol Lett 2016; 11:20150610. [PMID: 26562935 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
When exotic animal species invade new environments they also bring an often unknown microbial diversity, including pathogens. We describe a novel and widely distributed virus in one of the most globally widespread, abundant and damaging invasive ants (Argentine ants, Linepithema humile). The Linepithema humile virus 1 is a dicistrovirus, a viral family including species known to cause widespread arthropod disease. It was detected in samples from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Argentine ants in New Zealand were also infected with a strain of Deformed wing virus common to local hymenopteran species, which is a major pathogen widely associated with honeybee mortality. Evidence for active replication of viral RNA was apparent for both viruses. Our results suggest co-introduction and exchange of pathogens within local hymenopteran communities. These viral species may contribute to the collapse of Argentine ant populations and offer new options for the control of a globally widespread invader.
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