1
|
McGruddy RA, Smeele ZE, Manley B, Masucci JD, Haywood J, Lester PJ. RNA interference as a next-generation control method for suppressing Varroa destructor reproduction in honey bee (Apis mellifera) hives. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:4770-4778. [PMID: 38801186 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is considered to be the greatest threat to apiculture worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a gene silencing mechanism has emerged as a next-generation strategy for mite control. RESULTS We explored the impact of a dsRNA biopesticide, named vadescana, designed to silence the calmodulin gene in Varroa, on mite fitness in mini-hives housed in a laboratory. Two dosages were tested: 2 g/L dsRNA and 8 g/L dsRNA. Vadescana appeared to have no effect on mite survival, however, mite fertility was substantially reduced. The majority of foundress mites exposed to vadescana failed to produce any offspring. No dose-dependent effect of vadescana was observed, as both the low and high doses inhibited mite reproduction equally well in the mini-hives and neither dose impacted pupal survival of the honey bee. Approximately 95% of bee pupae were alive at uncapping across all treatment groups. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that vadescana has significant potential as an effective alternative to conventional methods for Varroa control, with broader implications for the utilization of RNAi as a next-generation tool in the management of pest species. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rose A McGruddy
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Zoe E Smeele
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Brian Manley
- GreenLight Biosciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - James D Masucci
- GreenLight Biosciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John Haywood
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Philip J Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lefebre R, De Smet L, Tehel A, Paxton RJ, Bossuyt E, Verbeke W, van Dooremalen C, Ulgezen ZN, van den Bosch T, Schaafsma F, Valkenburg DJ, Dall’Olio R, Alaux C, Dezmirean DS, Giurgiu AI, Capela N, Simões S, Sousa JP, Bencsik M, McVeigh A, Ramsey MT, Ahmad S, Kumar T, Schäfer MO, Beaurepaire AL, Moro A, Flener CJ, Matthijs S, de Graaf DC. Allele Frequencies of Genetic Variants Associated with Varroa Drone Brood Resistance (DBR) in Apis mellifera Subspecies across the European Continent. INSECTS 2024; 15:419. [PMID: 38921134 PMCID: PMC11203681 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Implementation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in modern beekeeping would improve sustainability, especially in breeding programs aiming for resilience against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Selecting honey bee colonies for natural resistance traits, such as brood-intrinsic suppression of varroa mite reproduction, reduces the use of chemical acaricides while respecting local adaptation. In 2019, eight genomic variants associated with varroa non-reproduction in drone brood were discovered in a single colony from the Amsterdam Water Dune population in the Netherlands. Recently, a new study tested the applicability of these eight genetic variants for the same phenotype on a population-wide scale in Flanders, Belgium. As the properties of some variants varied between the two studies, one hypothesized that the difference in genetic ancestry of the sampled colonies may underly these contribution shifts. In order to frame this, we determined the allele frequencies of the eight genetic variants in more than 360 Apis mellifera colonies across the European continent and found that variant type allele frequencies of these variants are primarily related to the A. mellifera subspecies or phylogenetic honey bee lineage. Our results confirm that population-specific genetic markers should always be evaluated in a new population prior to using them in MAS programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Regis Lefebre
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Lina De Smet
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Anja Tehel
- Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06126 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- Institute for Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06126 Halle (Saale), Germany; (A.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Emma Bossuyt
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Wim Verbeke
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Coby van Dooremalen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Zeynep N. Ulgezen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Trudy van den Bosch
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Famke Schaafsma
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | - Dirk-Jan Valkenburg
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands (Z.N.U.); (T.v.d.B.); (F.S.); (D.-J.V.)
| | | | - Cedric Alaux
- Unité Abeilles et Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche pour l’Agriculture, CEDEX 9, 84914 Avignon, France;
| | - Daniel S. Dezmirean
- Apiculture and Sericulture Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania; (D.S.D.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Alexandru I. Giurgiu
- Apiculture and Sericulture Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj Napoca, Romania; (D.S.D.); (A.I.G.)
| | - Nuno Capela
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (N.C.); (S.S.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Sandra Simões
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (N.C.); (S.S.); (J.P.S.)
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; (N.C.); (S.S.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Martin Bencsik
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Adam McVeigh
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Michael Thomas Ramsey
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Sausan Ahmad
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Tarun Kumar
- Physics and Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG8 11NS, UK; (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.T.R.); (S.A.); (T.K.)
| | - Marc O. Schäfer
- Institute of Infectology, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Alexis L. Beaurepaire
- Institute of Bee Health, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (A.L.B.); (A.M.)
- Center for Bee Research, 3097 Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Arrigo Moro
- Institute of Bee Health, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; (A.L.B.); (A.M.)
- Galway Honey Bee Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Severine Matthijs
- Department of Viral Reemerging, Enzootic and Bee Diseases, Sciensano, 1050 Elsene, Belgium;
| | - Dirk C. de Graaf
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (L.D.S.); (E.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lefebre R, Claeys Bouuaert D, Bossuyt E, De Smet L, Brunain M, Danneels E, de Graaf DC. Comprehensive Approach to Phenotype Varroa destructor Reproduction in Honey Bee Drone Brood and Its Correlation with Decreased Mite Reproduction (DMR). INSECTS 2024; 15:397. [PMID: 38921112 PMCID: PMC11203922 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms of action behind decreased mite reproduction (DMR) are still unknown, but current hypotheses state that DMR is the result of brood-intrinsic and/or external disturbances in the V. destructor-honey bee pupa signal interactions. For accurate and precise DMR phenotyping, sufficient single infested honey bee brood cells are required (e.g., 35), which requires extensive labor and time and may exclude many samples not reaching the threshold. We defined a new comprehensive trait called the 'mean V. destructor reproduction rate' (mVR), which describes the mean number of offspring mites per infested cell in the sample while compensating for the reduced number of offspring with increasing multiple infested cells. We found a significant correlation between mVR and DMR, allowing for an estimation of DMR based on the mVR only. When the mVR was calculated with 10 infested cells, we found an average variation in mVR of 16.8%. For the same variation in DMR determination, 40 single infested cells are required. This broader look at V. destructor resistance phenotyping can improve the applicability and effectiveness of traits related to V. destructor reproduction in honey bee breeding programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Regis Lefebre
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - David Claeys Bouuaert
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Emma Bossuyt
- Honeybee Valley, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (E.D.)
| | - Lina De Smet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Marleen Brunain
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
| | - Ellen Danneels
- Honeybee Valley, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (E.D.)
| | - Dirk C. de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (D.C.B.); (L.D.S.); (M.B.); (D.C.d.G.)
- Honeybee Valley, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (E.B.); (E.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Marsky U, Rognon B, Douablin A, Viry A, Rodríguez Ramos MA, Hammaidi A. Amitraz Resistance in French Varroa Mite Populations-More Complex Than a Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism. INSECTS 2024; 15:390. [PMID: 38921105 PMCID: PMC11203491 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Resistance against amitraz in Varroa mite populations has become a subject of interest in recent years due to the increasing reports of the reduced field efficacy of amitraz treatments, especially from some beekeepers in France and the United States. The loss of amitraz as a reliable tool to effectively reduce Varroa mite infestation in the field could severely worsen the position of beekeepers in the fight to keep Varroa infestation rates in their colonies at low levels. In this publication, we present data from French apiaries, collected in the years 2020 and 2021. These data include the field efficacy of an authorized amitraz-based Varroa treatment (Apivar® ,Véto-pharma, France) and the results of laboratory sensitivity assays of Varroa mites exposed to the reference LC90 concentration of amitraz. In addition, a total of 240 Varroa mites from Eastern, Central, and Southern regions in France that were previously classified as either "sensitive" or "resistant" to amitraz in a laboratory sensitivity assay were genotyped. The genetic analyses of mite samples are focused on the β-adrenergic-like octopamine receptor, which is considered as the main target site for amitraz in Varroa mites. Special attention was paid to a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 260 of the ORβ-2R-L gene that was previously associated to amitraz resistance in French Varroa mites, Varroa. Our findings confirm that amitraz resistance occurs in patches or "islands of resistance", with a less severe reduction in treatment efficacy compared to pyrethroid resistance or coumaphos resistance in Varroa mites. The results of our genetic analyses of Varroa mites call into question the hypothesis of the SNP at position 260 of the ORβ-2R-L gene being directly responsible for amitraz resistance development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Marsky
- Véto-Pharma, 12 Rue de la Croix Martre, 91120 Palaiseau, France;
| | | | | | - Alain Viry
- LDA39, Laboratoire Départemental d’Analyses du Jura, 59 Rue du Vieil Hôpital, 39800 Poligny, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lefebre R, Broeckx BJG, De Smet L, Peelman L, de Graaf DC. Population-wide modelling reveals prospects of marker-assisted selection for parasitic mite resistance in honey bees. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7866. [PMID: 38570723 PMCID: PMC10991324 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58596-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2019, a joint eight-variant model was published in which eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven Apis mellifera genes were associated with Varroa destructor drone brood resistance (DBR, i.e. mite non-reproduction in drone brood). As this model was derived from only one Darwinian Black Bee Box colony, it could not directly be applied on a population-overarching scale in the northern part of Belgium (Flanders), where beekeepers prefer the carnica subspecies. To determine whether these eight SNPs remained associated with the DBR trait on a Flemish colony-broad scope, we performed population-wide modelling through sampling of various A. mellifera carnica colonies, DBR scoring of Varroa-infested drone brood and variant genotyping. Novel eight-variant modelling was performed and the classification performance of the eight SNPs was evaluated. Besides, we built a reduced three-variant model retaining only three genetic variants and found that this model classified 76% of the phenotyped drones correctly. To examine the spread of beneficial alleles and predict the DBR probability distribution in Flanders, we determined the allelic frequencies of the three variants in 292 A. mellifera carnica queens. As such, this research reveals prospects of marker-assisted selection for Varroa drone brood resistance in honeybees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Regis Lefebre
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Bart J G Broeckx
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lina De Smet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Peelman
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology (L-MEB), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rein C, Blumenschein M, Traynor K, Rosenkranz P. Lithium chloride treatments in free flying honey bee colonies: efficacy, brood survival, and within-colony distribution. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:67. [PMID: 38133834 PMCID: PMC10746590 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of various lithium chloride (LiCl) applications in eradicating the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies was investigated, with a specific focus on its impact on brood development. In broodless colonies (3 weeks post queen caging), the highest efficacy of 98% was achieved with a 9-day treatment of 2.5 kg of candy spiked with 50 mM LiCl. A shorter 5-day treatment with 2 kg of 50 mM LiCl candy resulted in an efficacy of 78%. In colonies with brood, a repeated short-term application of 4 × 0.5 kg 50 mM LiCl candy yielded an efficacy of 88%. LiCl treatment led to a removal of the first batch of brood reared after release of the queen. However, no long-term effects on colony growth were observed, and the colonies successfully overwintered. Additionally, the study demonstrated that lithium is rapidly distributed among the bees of a colony within 2 days, yet only low concentrations were detected in stored food samples. This suggests that the bees efficiently absorb and distribute lithium within the colony. The harvested honey in the following spring revealed a lithium concentration of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, which is below naturally occurring lithium levels in honey. Based on these findings, LiCl can be considered an effective and easy-to-apply acaricide in broodless colonies, and even in colonies with brood, it had good efficacy and no long-term effects on colony survival. Further research may be necessary to determine the optimal treatment period for achieving an efficacy over 95%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Rein
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Marius Blumenschein
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kirsten Traynor
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Peter Rosenkranz
- State Institute of Bee Research, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gabel M, Scheiner R, Steffan-Dewenter I, Büchler R. Reproduction of Varroa destructor depends on well-timed host cell recapping and seasonal patterns. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22484. [PMID: 38110489 PMCID: PMC10728205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49688-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance traits of honeybees (Apis mellifera) against their major parasite Varroa destructor have fascinated scientists and breeders for long. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying resistance are still largely unknown. The same applies to possible interactions between host behaviours, mite reproduction and seasonal differences. Two resistance traits, reproductive failure of mites and recapping of brood cells, are of particular interest. High rates of recapping at the colony level were found to correspond with low reproductive success of mites. However, the direct effect of recapping on mite reproduction is still controversial and both traits seem to be very variable in their expression. Thus, a deeper knowledge of both, the effect of recapping on mite reproduction and the seasonal differences in the expression of these traits is urgently needed. To shed light on this host-parasite interaction, we investigated recapping and mite reproduction in full-grown colonies naturally infested with V. destructor. Measurements were repeated five times per year over the course of 3 years. The reproductive success of mites as well as the recapping frequency clearly followed seasonal patterns. Thereby, reproductive failure of mites at the cell level was constantly increased in case of recapping. Interestingly, this did not apply to the occurrence of infertile mites. In line with this, recapping activity in fertile cells was most frequent in brood ages in which mite offspring would be expected. Our results suggest that mite offspring is the main target of recapping. This, in turn, leads to a significantly reduced reproductive success of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gabel
- Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Bee Institute Kirchhain, Erlenstraße 9, 35274, Kirchhain, Germany.
- Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Ricarda Scheiner
- Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Büchler
- Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Bee Institute Kirchhain, Erlenstraße 9, 35274, Kirchhain, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Morin ML, Giovenazzo P. Mite non-reproduction, recapping behavior, and hygienic behavior (freeze-kill method) linked to Varroa destructor infestation levels in selected Apis mellifera colonies. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:655-663. [PMID: 37139827 PMCID: PMC10621551 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231172141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic selection of honey bees (Apis mellifera) possessing specific social hygienic behaviors offers the beekeeping industry the possibility of controlling the Varroa destructor parasite and thus reducing its dependence on acaricides. However, the links between these behavioral traits are not yet well defined, which limits genetic progress in breeding programs. We measured the following behavioral varroa resistance traits: freeze-kill brood (FKB) and pin-kill brood (PKB) assays, varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH), pupae removal, mite non-reproduction (MNR), and recapping activity. We found 2 negative and significant relationships: 1) between the recapping of cells infested with varroa and the total number of recapped cells, and 2) between the recapping of cells infested with varroa and VSH. We also selected the best predictive model of varroa infestation levels using the "step-wise" approach based on the Akaike information criterion. Our model revealed that MNR and FKB were significantly related to the varroa population levels, with a negative relationship; recapping was significantly related to mite infestation levels, with a positive relationship. Thus, a higher MNR or FKB score was linked to lower levels of mite infestation in colonies on August 14 (prior to fall infestation treatments); a higher recapping activity was linked to a higher level of mite infestation. Recapping behavior could be a useful trait to aid the selection of varroa-resistant bee lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lou Morin
- Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Giovenazzo
- Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Scaramella N, Burke A, Oddie M, Dahle B, de Miranda J, Mondet F, Rosenkranze P, Neumann P, Locke B. Host brood traits, independent of adult behaviours, reduce Varroa destructor mite reproduction in resistant honeybee populations. Int J Parasitol 2023:S0020-7519(23)00092-9. [PMID: 37164049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is an invasive species of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) and the largest pathogenic threat to their health world-wide. Its successful invasion and expansion is related to its ability to exploit the worker brood for reproduction, which results in an exponential population growth rate in the new host. With invasion of the mite, wild honeybee populations have been nearly eradicated from Europe and North America, and the survival of managed honeybee populations relies on mite population control treatments. However, there are a few documented honeybee populations surviving extended periods without control treatments due to adapted host traits that directly impact Varroa mite fitness. The aim of this study was to investigate if Varroa mite reproductive success was affected by traits of adult bee behaviours or by traits of the worker brood, in three mite-resistant honey bee populations from Sweden, France and Norway. The mite's reproductive success was measured and compared in broods that were either exposed to, or excluded from, adult bee access. Mite-resistant bee populations were also compared with a local mite-susceptible population, as a control group. Our results show that mite reproductive success rates and mite fecundity in the three mite-resistant populations were significantly different from the control population, with the French and Swedish populations having significantly lower reproductive rates than the Norwegian population. When comparing mite reproduction in exposed or excluded brood treatments, no differences were observed, regardless of population. This result clearly demonstrates that Varroa mite reproductive success can be suppressed by traits of the brood, independent of adult worker bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Scaramella
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Ashley Burke
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Melissa Oddie
- Norges Birøkterlag, Dyrskuevegen 20, 2040 Kløfta, Norway
| | - Bjørn Dahle
- Norges Birøkterlag, Dyrskuevegen 20, 2040 Kløfta, Norway; Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Joachim de Miranda
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fanny Mondet
- INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Peter Rosenkranze
- Apiculture State Institute, University of Hohenheim, Erna-hruschka-Weg 6, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Peter Neumann
- Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Center, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Locke
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gebremedhn H, Claeys Bouuaert D, Asperges M, Amssalu B, De Smet L, de Graaf DC. Expression of Molecular Markers of Resilience against Varroa destructor and Bee Viruses in Ethiopian Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera simensis) Focussing on Olfactory Sensing and the RNA Interference Machinery. INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050436. [PMID: 37233064 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Varroa destructor mites and the viruses it vectors are two major factors leading to high losses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) colonies worldwide. However, honey bees in some African countries show resilience to varroa infestation and/or virus infections, although little is known about the mechanisms underlying this resilience. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles of some key molecular markers involved in olfactory sensing and RNA interference, as these processes may contribute to the bees' resilience to varroa infestation and virus infection, respectively. We found significantly higher gene expression of the odorant binding protein, OBP14, in the antennae of Ethiopian bees compared to Belgian bees. This result suggests the potential of OBP14 as a molecular marker of resilience to mite infestation. Scanning electron microscopy showed no significant differences in the antennal sensilla occurrence and distribution, suggesting that resilience arises from molecular processes rather than morphological adaptations. In addition, seven RNAi genes were upregulated in the Ethiopian honey bees and three of them-Dicer-Drosha, Argonaute 2, and TRBP2-were positively correlated with the viral load. We can conclude that the antiviral immune response was triggered when bees were experiencing severe viral infection and that this might contribute to the bees' resilience to viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haftom Gebremedhn
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle P.O. Box 492, Ethiopia
| | - David Claeys Bouuaert
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michel Asperges
- Centrum Voor Milieukunde, University of Hasselt, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Lina De Smet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Guichard M, Dainat B, Dietemann V. Prospects, challenges and perspectives in harnessing natural selection to solve the ‘varroa problem’ of honey bees. Evol Appl 2023; 16:593-608. [PMID: 36969141 PMCID: PMC10035043 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees, Apis mellifera, of European origin are major pollinators of crops and wild flora. Their endemic and exported populations are threatened by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors. Among the latter, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is the most important single cause behind colony mortality. The selection of mite resistance in honey bee populations has been deemed a more sustainable solution to its control than varroacidal treatments. Because natural selection has led to the survival of some European and African honey bee populations to V. destructor infestations, harnessing its principles has recently been highlighted as a more efficient way to provide honey bee lineages that survive infestations when compared with conventional selection on resistance traits against the parasite. However, the challenges and drawbacks of harnessing natural selection to solve the varroa problem have only been minimally addressed. We argue that failing to consider these issues could lead to counterproductive results, such as increased mite virulence, loss of genetic diversity reducing host resilience, population collapses or poor acceptance by beekeepers. Therefore, it appears timely to evaluate the prospects for the success of such programmes and the qualities of the populations obtained. After reviewing the approaches proposed in the literature and their outcomes, we consider their advantages and drawbacks and propose perspectives to overcome their limitations. In these considerations, we not only reflect on the theoretical aspects of host-parasite relationships but also on the currently largely neglected practical constraints, that is, the requirements for productive beekeeping, conservation or rewilding objectives. To optimize natural selection-based programmes towards these objectives, we suggest designs based on a combination of nature-driven phenotypic differentiation and human-directed selection of traits. Such a dual strategy aims at allowing field-realistic evolutionary approaches towards the survival of V. destructor infestations and the improvement of honey bee health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vincent Dietemann
- Swiss Bee Research Centre Agroscope Bern Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, UNIL‐Sorge University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gabel M, Hoppe A, Scheiner R, Obergfell J, Büchler R. Heritability of Apis mellifera recapping behavior and suppressed mite reproduction as resistance traits towards Varroa destructor. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1135187. [PMID: 38469460 PMCID: PMC10926398 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1135187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The selection of honeybee strains resistant to the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is generally considered as one of the most sustainable ways of coping with this major bee parasite. Thus, breeding efforts increasingly focus on resistance parameters in addition to common beekeeping traits like honey yield and gentleness. In every breeding effort, the success strongly depends on the quantifiability and heritability of the traits accounted. To find the most suitable traits among the manifold variants to assess Varroa resistance, it is necessary to evaluate how easily a trait can be measured (i.e., testing effort) in relation to the underlying heritability (i.e., expected transfer to the following generation). Various possible selection traits are described as beneficial for colony survival in the presence of Varroa destructor and therefore are measured in breeding stocks around the globe. Two of them in particular, suppressed mite reproduction (SMR, sensu lato any reproductive failure of mother mites) and recapping of already sealed brood cells have recently gained increasing attention among the breeders because they closely resemble resistance mechanisms of some Varroa-surviving honeybee populations. However, it was still unknown whether the genetic background of the trait is sufficient for targeted selection. We therefore investigated the heritabilities and genetic correlations for SMR and REC, distinguishing between recapping of infested cells (RECinf) and all cells (RECall), on an extensive dataset of Buckfast and Carniolan stock in Germany. With an accessible h² of 0.18 and 0.44 for SMR and an accessible h² of 0.44 and 0.40 for RECinf, both traits turned out to be very promising for further selection in the Buckfast and Carnica breeding population, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gabel
- Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Bieneninstitut Kirchhain, Kirchhain, Germany
- Universität Würzburg, Verhaltensphysiologie und Soziobiologi, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hoppe
- Länderinstitut für Bienenkunde Hohen Neuendorf e. V., Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - Ricarda Scheiner
- Universität Würzburg, Verhaltensphysiologie und Soziobiologi, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Obergfell
- Gemeinschaft der europäischen Buckfastimker e.V., Kassel, Germany
| | - Ralph Büchler
- Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Bieneninstitut Kirchhain, Kirchhain, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Guichard M, von Virag A, Dainat B. Evaluating the Potential of Brood Recapping to Select Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) Resistant Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:56-67. [PMID: 36453974 PMCID: PMC9912135 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Several resistance traits have been proposed to select honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) that can survive in the presence of parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) and enable a more sustainable apiculture. The interest for uncapping-recapping has recently increased following its identification in several naturally surviving honey bee populations, yet the utility of this trait for human-mediated selection is poorly known. Here, we evaluated the repeatability of recapping and its correlations with mite infestation levels, and assessed the expression of the trait in the often neglected drone brood. We also calculated correlations between recapping, mite infertility, and mite fecundity, expressed either at the level of individual brood cells or of the whole colony. Recapping measured in worker brood showed moderate repeatability (ranging between 0.30 and 0.46). Depending on sample, recapping slightly correlated negatively with colony infestation values. Recapping was also measured in drone brood, with values often comparable to recapping in worker brood, but no significant correlations were obtained between castes. At cell level, recapped cells in drone brood (but not in workers) were significantly less infested than nonrecapped cells, whereas in workers (but not in drones), recapped cells hosted mites with significantly lower fecundity. At colony level, with a few exceptions, recapping did not significantly correlate with mite infertility and fecundity, caste, sample, or number of infested cells considered. These results indicate limited possibilities of impeding mite reproduction and possibly mite infestation of honey bee colonies by recapping, which would need to be confirmed on larger, different populations.
Collapse
|
14
|
von Virag A, Guichard M, Neuditschko M, Dietemann V, Dainat B. Decreased Mite Reproduction to Select Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) Resistant Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Limitations and Potential Methodological Improvements. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:695-705. [PMID: 35380682 PMCID: PMC9175287 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The invasive parasitic mite, Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman), is the major biotic threat to the survival of European honey bees, Apis mellifera L. To improve colony survival against V. destructor, the selection of resistant lineages against this parasite is considered a sustainable solution. Among selected traits, mite fertility and fecundity, often referred to as suppressed mite reproduction are increasingly used in breeding programmes. However, the current literature leaves some gaps in the assessment of the effectiveness of selecting these traits toward achieving resistance. In the population studied here, we show a low repeatability and reproducibility of mite fertility and fecundity phenotypes, as well as a low correlation of these traits with infestation rates of colonies. Phenotyping reliability could neither be improved by increasing the number of worker brood cells screened, nor by screening drone brood, which is highly attractive for the parasite and available early in the season, theoretically allowing a reduction of generation time and thus an acceleration of genetic progress in selected lineages. Our results provide an evaluation of the potential and limitations of selecting on decreased mite reproduction traits to obtain V. destructor-resistant honeybee colonies. To allow for a more precise implementation of such selection and output reporting, we propose a refined nomenclature by introducing the terms of decreased mite reproduction and reduced mite reproduction, depending on the extent of mite reproduction targeted. We also highlight the importance of ensuring accurate phenotyping ahead of initiating long-lasting selection programmes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vincent Dietemann
- Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, UNIL-Sorge, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wagoner K, Millar JG, Keller J, Bello J, Waiker P, Schal C, Spivak M, Rueppell O. Hygiene-Eliciting Brood Semiochemicals as a Tool for Assaying Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colony Resistance to Varroa (Mesostigmata: Varroidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2021; 21:6414651. [PMID: 34723332 PMCID: PMC8559158 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite numerous interventions, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman [Mesostigmata: Varroidae]) and the pathogens it vectors remain a primary threat to honey bee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) health. Hygienic behavior, the ability to detect, uncap, and remove unhealthy brood from the colony, has been bred for selectively for over two decades and continues to be a promising avenue for improved Varroa management. Although hygienic behavior is expressed more in Varroa-resistant colonies, hygiene does not always confer resistance to Varroa. Additionally, existing Varroa resistance selection methods trade efficacy for efficiency, because those achieving the highest levels of Varroa resistance can be time-consuming, and thus expensive and impractical for apicultural use. Here, we tested the hypothesis that hygienic response to a mixture of semiochemicals associated with Varroa-infested honey bee brood can serve as an improved tool for predicting colony-level Varroa resistance. In support of our hypothesis, we demonstrated that a mixture of the compounds (Z)-10-tritriacontene, (Z)-8-hentriacontene, (Z)-8-heptadecene, and (Z)-6-pentadecene triggers hygienic behavior in a two-hour assay, and that high-performing colonies (hygienic response to ≥60% of treated cells) have significantly lower Varroa infestations, remove significantly more introduced Varroa, and are significantly more likely to survive the winter compared to low-performing colonies (hygienic response to <60% of treated cells). We discuss the relative efficacy and efficiency of this assay for facilitating apiary management decisions and selection of Varroa-resistant honey bees, as well as the relevance of these findings to honey bee health, pollination services, and social insect communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K Wagoner
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA
| | - J G Millar
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, 165 Entomology Building, Citrus Drive, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - J Keller
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7613, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - J Bello
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, 165 Entomology Building, Citrus Drive, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - P Waiker
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA
| | - C Schal
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7613, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - M Spivak
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - O Rueppell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, CW-405 Biological Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Field evaluation of Varroa-resistance traits in surviving Apis mellifera colonies in Argentina. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4013-4021. [PMID: 34635942 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07337-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is one of the most important sanitary threats for the beekeeping industry and so far disease control is based mainly on chemical treatment. However, a long-term solution may arise from studying natural surviving colonies of Apis mellifera. We compared the Varroa infestation rate in six commercial colonies that received annual treatment against mites and six non-treated colonies that survived in absence of any treatment for the last 6 years. In addition, we evaluated two potential mechanisms that might be involved in colony survival: hygienic (HYG) and Varroa-sensitive hygiene behavior (VSH) by means of pin-killed and mite artificial infestation, respectively. HYG and VSH were negatively correlated with mite infestation independently of the colony group (treated or non-treated). Furthermore, colonies expressing high levels of pupae removal (≥ 80%) showed higher %HYG and lower mite infestation compared to colonies showing low pupae removal (< 80%). The analysis of reproductive status of mites from the non-removed infested cells evidenced that more infertile mites are found in colonies with more than 80% of pupae removal. To study non-treated colonies that survive for several years, it is a suitable approach for identifying the underlying mechanisms related to Varroa-resistance.
Collapse
|
17
|
Grindrod I, Martin SJ. Parallel evolution of Varroa resistance in honey bees: a common mechanism across continents? Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211375. [PMID: 34344183 PMCID: PMC8334839 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The near-globally distributed ecto-parasitic mite of the Apis mellifera honeybee, Varroa destructor, has formed a lethal association with Deformed wing virus, a once rare and benign RNA virus. In concert, the two have killed millions of wild and managed colonies, particularly across the Northern Hemisphere, forcing the need for regular acaricide application to ensure colony survival. However, despite the short association (in evolutionary terms), a small but increasing number of A. mellifera populations across the globe have been surviving many years without any mite control methods. This long-term survival, or Varroa resistance, is consistently associated with the same suite of traits (recapping, brood removal and reduced mite reproduction) irrespective of location. Here we conduct an analysis of data extracted from 60 papers to illustrate how these traits connect together to explain decades of mite resistance data. We have potentially a unified understanding of natural Varroa resistance that will help the global industry achieve widespread miticide-free beekeeping and indicate how different honeybee populations across four continents have resolved a recent threat using the same suite of behaviours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Grindrod
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
| | - Stephen J. Martin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Claeys Boúúaert D, Van Poucke M, De Smet L, Verbeke W, de Graaf DC, Peelman L. qPCR assays with dual-labeled probes for genotyping honey bee variants associated with varroa resistance. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:179. [PMID: 33931072 PMCID: PMC8086294 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02886-x] [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: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The varroa mite is one of the main causes of honey bee mortality. An important mechanism by which honey bees increase their resistance against this mite is the expression of suppressed mite reproduction. This trait describes the physiological inability of mites to produce viable offspring and was found associated with eight genomic variants in previous research. Results This paper presents the development and validation of high-throughput qPCR assays with dual-labeled probes for discriminating these eight single-nucleotide variants. Amplicon sequences used for assay validation revealed additional variants in the primer/probe binding sites in four out of the eight assays. As for two of these the additional variants interfered with the genotyping outcome supplementary primers and/or probes were developed. Inclusion of these primers and probes in the assay mixes allowed for the correct genotyping of all eight variants of interest within our bee population. Conclusion These outcomes underline the importance of checking for interfering variants in designing qPCR assays. Ultimately, the availability of this assay allows genotyping for the suppressed mite reproduction trait and paves the way for marker assisted selection in breeding programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Claeys Boúúaert
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Mario Van Poucke
- Animal Genetics Laboratory, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Lina De Smet
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Verbeke
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk C de Graaf
- Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Peelman
- Animal Genetics Laboratory, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Büchler R, Kovačić M, Buchegger M, Puškadija Z, Hoppe A, Brascamp EW. Evaluation of Traits for the Selection of Apis Mellifera for Resistance against Varroa Destructor. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11090618. [PMID: 32927627 PMCID: PMC7565760 DOI: 10.3390/insects11090618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Infestation with Varroa destructor is a serious cause of bee colony (Apis mellifera) losses on a global level. However, the presence of untreated survivor populations in many different regions supports the idea that selection for resistance can be successful. As colony survival is difficult or impossible to measure, differences in mite infestation levels and tests for specific behavioral traits are used for selective breeding for Varroa resistance. In this paper we looked into different definitions of mite infestation and linked these with brood hygiene (pin test), brood recapping and suppressed mite reproduction. We based our analyses on datasets of Apis mellifera carnica from three countries: Austria (147 records), Croatia (135) and Germany (207). We concluded that bee infestation in summer, adjusted for the level of natural mite fall in spring, is a suitable trait in the breeding objective, and also suggested including brood infestation rate and the increase rate of bee infestation in summer. Repeatability for bee infestation rate was about 0.55, for cells opened in pin test about 0.33, for recapping 0.35 and for suppressed mite reproduction (SMR) virtually zero. Although in most cases we observed correlations with the expected sign between infestation parameters and behavioral traits, the values were generally low (<0.2) and often not significantly different from zero.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Büchler
- Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Bee Institute, Erlenstrasse 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6422-940613
| | - Marin Kovačić
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (M.K.); (Z.P.)
| | - Martin Buchegger
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Division of Livestock Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Zlatko Puškadija
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (M.K.); (Z.P.)
| | - Andreas Hoppe
- Institute for Bee Research, Friedrich-Engels-Str. 32, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany;
| | - Evert W. Brascamp
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Eynard SE, Sann C, Basso B, Guirao AL, Le Conte Y, Servin B, Tison L, Vignal A, Mondet F. Descriptive Analysis of the Varroa Non-Reproduction Trait in Honey Bee Colonies and Association with Other Traits Related to Varroa Resistance. INSECTS 2020; 11:E492. [PMID: 32752279 PMCID: PMC7469219 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the current context of worldwide honey bee colony losses, among which the varroa mite plays a major role, the hope to improve honey bee health lies in part in the breeding of varroa resistant colonies. To do so, methods used to evaluate varroa resistance need better understanding. Repeatability and correlations between traits such as mite non-reproduction (MNR), varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH), and hygienic behavior are poorly known, due to practical limitations and to their underlying complexity. We investigate (i) the variability, (ii) the repeatability of the MNR score, and (iii) its correlation with other resistance traits. To reduce the inherent variability of MNR scores, we propose to apply an empirical Bayes correction. In the short-term (ten days), MNR had a modest repeatability of 0.4, whereas in the long-term (a month), it had a low repeatability of 0.2, similar to other resistance traits. Within our dataset, there was no correlation between MNR and VSH. Although MNR is amongst the most popular varroa resistance estimates in field studies, its underlying complex mechanism is not fully understood. Its lack of correlation with better described resistance traits and low repeatability suggest that MNR needs to be interpreted cautiously, especially when used for selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia E. Eynard
- GenPhySe, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (B.S.); (A.V.)
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
| | | | - Benjamin Basso
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
- ITSAP, 84914 Avignon, France;
- Abeilles et Environnement, INRAE Avignon, 84914 Avignon, France
| | | | - Yves Le Conte
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
- Abeilles et Environnement, INRAE Avignon, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Bertrand Servin
- GenPhySe, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (B.S.); (A.V.)
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
| | - Lea Tison
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
- Abeilles et Environnement, INRAE Avignon, 84914 Avignon, France
- Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble, INRAE Bordeaux, 33882 Villenave-d’Ornon, France
| | - Alain Vignal
- GenPhySe, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31320 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (B.S.); (A.V.)
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
| | - Fanny Mondet
- UMT PrADE, Protection des Abeilles dans l’environnement, 84914 Avignon, France; (B.B.); (Y.L.C.); (L.T.); (F.M.)
- Abeilles et Environnement, INRAE Avignon, 84914 Avignon, France
| |
Collapse
|