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Claing G, Dubreuil P, Bernier M, Ferland J, L'Homme Y, Rodriguez E, Arsenault J. Varroa destructor and deformed wing virus interaction increases incidence of winter mortality in honey bee colonies. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE VETERINAIRE 2024; 88:69-76. [PMID: 38988334 PMCID: PMC11232088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Winter mortality of honey bee colonies represents a major source of economic loss for the beekeeping industry. The objectives of this prospective study were to estimate the incidence risk of winter colony mortality in southwestern Quebec, Canada and to evaluate and quantify the impact of the associated risk factors. A total of 242 colonies from 31 apiaries was selected for sampling in August 2017. The presence of Varroa destructor, Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp., Melissococcus plutonius, deformed wing virus (DWV), and viruses of the acute-Kashmir-Israeli complex (AKI complex) was investigated in each colony. Management practices of the various colonies were obtained from a questionnaire. The incidence risk of colony mortality during the winter of 2017-2018 was estimated to be 26.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.4 to 40.3]. In logistic regression modeling of winter mortality in colonies, an interaction was discovered between V. destructor and DWV; the detection of ≥ 1 V. destructor mites per 100 bees was associated with higher odds of mortality (3.46, 95% CI: 1.35 to 8.90) compared to colonies with < 1 mite per 100 bees, but only in DWV-positive colonies. There were more colony losses in apiaries from beekeepers owning 1 to 5 colonies than in apiaries from beekeepers owning over 100 colonies, which suggests that beekeeper experience and/or type of management are important contributors to winter colony mortality. Assuming a causal relationship, the results of this study suggest that up to 9% of all colony mortalities in the population could have been prevented by reducing the level of V. destructor to < 1 mite per 100 bees in all colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Claing
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
| | - Pascal Dubreuil
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
| | - Martine Bernier
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
| | - Julie Ferland
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
| | - Yvan L'Homme
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
| | - Edisleidy Rodriguez
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
| | - Julie Arsenault
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2 (Claing, Arsenault, Dubreuil); Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault, 120a chemin du Roy, Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 (Bernier); Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec, 200 chemin Ste-Foy, ville de Québec, Québec G1R 4X6 (Ferland, Rodriguez); Cégep Garneau, 1660 boulevard de l'Entente, ville de Québec, Québec G1S 4S3 (L'Homme)
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Zhang Y, Liu A, Kang Huang S, Evans JD, Cook SC, Palmer-Young E, Corona M, Alburaki M, Liu G, Chou Han R, Feng Li W, Hao Y, Lian Li J, Gilligan TM, Smith-Pardo AH, Banmeke O, Posada-Florez FJ, Hui Gao Y, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Chun Xie H, Sadzewicz AM, Hamilton M, Ping Chen Y. Mediating a host cell signaling pathway linked to overwinter mortality offers a promising therapeutic approach for improving bee health. J Adv Res 2023; 53:99-114. [PMID: 36564001 PMCID: PMC10658305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.12.011] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Honey bees provides valuable pollination services for world food crops and wild flowering plants which are habitats of many animal species and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. Nevertheless, the honey bee population has been declining and the majority of colony losses occur during the winter. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to understand the mechanisms underlying overwinter colony losses and develop novel therapeutic strategies for improving bee health. METHODS First, pathogen prevalence in overwintering bees were screened between 2015 and 2018. Second, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) for transcriptional profiling of overwintering honey bees was conducted and qRT-PCR was performed to confirm the results of the differential expression of selected genes. Lastly, laboratory bioassays were conducted to measure the effects of cold challenges on bee survivorship and stress responses and to assess the effect of a novel medication for alleviating cold stress in honey bees. RESULTS We identified that sirtuin signaling pathway is the most significantly enriched pathway among the down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in overwintering diseased bees. Moreover, we showed that the expression of SIRT1 gene, a major sirtuin that regulates energy and immune metabolism, was significantly downregulated in bees merely exposed to cold challenges, linking cold stress with altered gene expression of SIRT1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that activation of SIRT1 gene expression by SRT1720, an activator of SIRT1 expression, could improve the physiology and extend the lifespan of cold-stressed bees. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that increased energy consumption of overwintering bees for maintaining hive temperature reduces the allocation of energy toward immune functions, thus making the overwintering bees more susceptible to disease infections and leading to high winter colony losses. The novel information gained from this study provides a promising avenue for the development of therapeutic strategies for mitigating colony losses, both overwinter and annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guanzhou 510260, PR China; U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; School of Chinese Medicinal Resource, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Yunfu 527527, PR China
| | - Andrew Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Shao Kang Huang
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, PR China
| | - Jay D Evans
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Steve C Cook
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Evan Palmer-Young
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Miguel Corona
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Mohamed Alburaki
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ge Liu
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ri Chou Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guanzhou 510260, PR China
| | - Wen Feng Li
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yue Hao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Ji Lian Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100093, PR China
| | - Todd M Gilligan
- Identification Technology Program (ITP) Molecular Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology (S&T), Fort Collins, CO 80526-1825, USA
| | - Allan H Smith-Pardo
- Identification Technology Program (ITP) Molecular Laboratory, USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology (S&T), Fort Collins, CO 80526-1825, USA
| | - Olubukola Banmeke
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Francisco J Posada-Florez
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ya Hui Gao
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | | | - Hui Chun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Animal and Plant Resources of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai Province, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810000, China
| | - Alex M Sadzewicz
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Michele Hamilton
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- U.S. Department of Agriculture -Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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Landaverde R, Rodriguez MT, Parrella JA. Honey Production and Climate Change: Beekeepers' Perceptions, Farm Adaptation Strategies, and Information Needs. INSECTS 2023; 14:493. [PMID: 37367309 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Because climate change has severely impacted global bee populations by depleting their habitats and food sources, beekeepers must implement management practices to adapt to changing climates. However, beekeepers in El Salvador lack information about necessary climate change adaptation strategies. This study explored Salvadoran beekeepers' experiences adapting to climate change. The researchers used a phenomenological case study approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with nine Salvadoran beekeepers who were members of The Cooperative Association for Marketing, Production, Savings, and Credit of Beekeepers of Chalatenango (ACCOPIDECHA). The beekeepers perceived water and food scarcity, as well as extreme weather events (e.g., increasing temperature, rain, winds), as the leading climate change-induced challenges to their production. Such challenges have augmented their honey bees' physiological need for water, limited their movement patterns, decreased apiary safety, and increased the incidence of pests and diseases, all of which have led to honey bee mortality. The beekeepers shared adaptation strategies, including box modification, apiary relocation, and food supplementation. Although most beekeepers accessed climate change information using the internet, they struggled to understand and apply pertinent information unless they received it from trusted ACCOPIDECHA personnel. Salvadoran beekeepers require information and demonstrations to improve their climate change adaptation strategies and implement new ones to address the challenges they experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Landaverde
- Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Mary T Rodriguez
- Department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jean A Parrella
- Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Palmer-Young EC, Ryabov EV, Markowitz LM, Boncristiani DL, Grubbs K, Pawar A, Peterson R, Evans JD. Host-driven temperature dependence of Deformed wing virus infection in honey bee pupae. Commun Biol 2023; 6:333. [PMID: 36973325 PMCID: PMC10042853 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04704-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The temperature dependence of infection reflects changes in performance of parasites and hosts. High temperatures often mitigate infection by favoring heat-tolerant hosts over heat-sensitive parasites. Honey bees exhibit endothermic thermoregulation-rare among insects-that can favor resistance to parasites. However, viruses are heavily host-dependent, suggesting that viral infection could be supported-not threatened-by optimum host function. To understand how temperature-driven changes in performance of viruses and hosts shape infection, we compared the temperature dependence of isolated viral enzyme activity, three honey bee traits, and infection of honey bee pupae. Viral enzyme activity varied <2-fold over a > 30 °C interval spanning temperatures typical of ectothermic insects and honey bees. In contrast, honey bee performance peaked at high (≥ 35 °C) temperatures and was highly temperature-sensitive. Although these results suggested that increasing temperature would favor hosts over viruses, the temperature dependence of pupal infection matched that of pupal development, falling only near pupae's upper thermal limits. Our results reflect the host-dependent nature of viruses, suggesting that infection is accelerated-not curtailed-by optimum host function, contradicting predictions based on relative performance of parasites and hosts, and suggesting tradeoffs between infection resistance and host survival that limit the viability of bee 'fever'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugene V Ryabov
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Lindsey M Markowitz
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Kyle Grubbs
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Asha Pawar
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | | | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
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5
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Palmer-Young EC, Malfi R, Zhou Y, Joyce B, Whitehead H, Van Wyk JI, Baylis K, Grubbs K, Boncristiani DL, Evans JD, Irwin RE, Adler LS. Sunflower-Associated Reductions in Varroa Mite Infestation of Honey Bee Colonies. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:68-77. [PMID: 36573405 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Landscapes can affect parasite epidemiology in wild and agricultural animals. Honey bees are threatened by loss of floral resources and by parasites, principally the mite Varroa destructor and the viruses it vectors. Existing mite control relies heavily on chemical treatments that can adversely affect bees. Alternative, pesticide-free control methods are needed to mitigate infestation with these ectoparasites. Many flowering plants provide nectar and pollen that confer resistance to parasites. Enrichment of landscapes with antiparasitic floral resources could therefore provide a sustainable means of parasite control in pollinators. Floral rewards of Asteraceae plants can reduce parasitic infection in diverse bee species, including honey and bumble bees. Here, we tested the effects of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cropland and pollen supplementation on honey bee resistance to macro- and microparasites. Although sunflower had nonsignificant effects on microparasites, We found that increased sunflower pollen availability correlated with reduced Varroa mite infestation in landscapes and pollen-supplemented colonies. At the landscape level, each doubling of sunflower crop area was associated with a 28% reduction in mite infestation. In field trials, late-summer supplementation of colonies with sunflower pollen reduced mite infestation by 2.75-fold relative to artificial pollen. United States sunflower crop acreage has declined by 2% per year since 1980, however, suggesting reduced availability of this floral resource. Although further research is needed to determine whether the observed effects represent direct inhibition of mite fecundity or mite-limiting reductions in honey bee brood-rearing, our findings suggest the potential for sunflower plantings or pollen supplements to counteract a major driver of honey bee losses worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosemary Malfi
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Yujun Zhou
- Department of Agricultural & Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana and Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Bryanna Joyce
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Whitehead
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer I Van Wyk
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Kathy Baylis
- Department of Agricultural & Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana and Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Kyle Grubbs
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | | | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca E Irwin
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Lynn S Adler
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
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Water provisioning increases caged worker bee lifespan and caged worker bees are living half as long as observed 50 years ago. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18660. [PMID: 36376353 PMCID: PMC9663547 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21401-2] [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: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The high loss rates of honey bee colonies drive research for solutions aimed to mitigate these losses. While honey bee colonies are superorganisms, experiments that measure the response to stressors often use caged individuals to allow for inference in a controlled setting. In an initial experiment, we showed that caged honey bees provisioned with various types of water (deionized, 1%NaCl in deionized, or tap) have greater median lifespans than those that did not. While researching the history of water provisioning in cage studies, we observed that the median lifespan of caged honey bees has been declining in the US since the 1970's, from an average of 34.3 days to 17.7 days. In response to this, we again turned to historical record and found a relationship between this trend and a decline in the average amount of honey produced per colony per year in the US over the last 5 decades. To understand the relationship between individual bee lifespan and colony success we used an established honey bee population model (BEEHAVE) to simulate the predicted effects of decreased worker lifespans. Declines in downstream measures of colony population, overall honey production, and colony lifespan resulted from reduced worker bee lifespans. Modeled colony lifespans allowed us to estimate colony loss rates in a beekeeping operation where lost colonies are replaced annually. Resulting loss rates were reflective of what beekeepers' experience today, which suggests the average lifespan of individual bees plays an important role in colony success.
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Virus Prevalence in Egg Samples Collected from Naturally Selected and Traditionally Managed Honey Bee Colonies across Europe. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112442. [PMID: 36366540 PMCID: PMC9692946 DOI: 10.3390/v14112442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring virus infections can be an important selection tool in honey bee breeding. A recent study pointed towards an association between the virus-free status of eggs and an increased virus resistance to deformed wing virus (DWV) at the colony level. In this study, eggs from both naturally surviving and traditionally managed colonies from across Europe were screened for the prevalence of different viruses. Screenings were performed using the phenotyping protocol of the 'suppressed in ovo virus infection' trait but with qPCR instead of end-point PCR and a primer set that covers all DWV genotypes. Of the 213 screened samples, 109 were infected with DWV, 54 were infected with black queen cell virus (BQCV), 3 were infected with the sacbrood virus, and 2 were infected with the acute bee paralyses virus. It was demonstrated that incidences of the vertical transmission of DWV were more frequent in naturally surviving than in traditionally managed colonies, although the virus loads in the eggs remained the same. When comparing virus infections with queen age, older queens showed significantly lower infection loads of DWV in both traditionally managed and naturally surviving colonies, as well as reduced DWV infection frequencies in traditionally managed colonies. We determined that the detection frequencies of DWV and BQCV in honey bee eggs were lower in samples obtained in the spring than in those collected in the summer, indicating that vertical transmission may be lower in spring. Together, these patterns in vertical transmission show that honey bee queens have the potential to reduce the degree of vertical transmission over time.
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Reams T, Rangel J. Understanding the Enemy: A Review of the Genetics, Behavior and Chemical Ecology of Varroa destructor, the Parasitic Mite of Apis mellifera. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:18. [PMID: 35137134 PMCID: PMC8825774 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) is arguably the most damaging parasitic mite that attacks honey bees worldwide. Since its initial host switch from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Varroa has become a widely successful invasive species, attacking honey bees on almost every continent where apiculture is practiced. Two haplotypes of V. destructor (Japanese and Korean) parasitize A. mellifera, both of which vector various honey bee-associated viruses. As the population of Varroa grows within a colony in the spring and summer, so do the levels of viral infections. Not surprisingly, high Varroa parasitization impacts bees at the individual level, causing bees to exhibit lower weight, decreased learning capacity, and shorter lifespan. High levels of Varroa infestation can lead to colony-wide varroosis and eventually colony death, especially when no control measures are taken against the mites. Varroa has become a successful parasite of A. mellifera because of its ability to reproduce within both drone cells and worker cells, which allows populations to expand rapidly. Varroa uses several chemical cues to complete its life cycle, many of which remain understudied and should be further explored. Given the growing reports of pesticide resistance by Varroa in several countries, a better understanding of the mite's basic biology is needed to find alternative pest management strategies. This review focuses on the genetics, behavior, and chemical ecology of V. destructor within A. mellifera colonies, and points to areas of research that should be exploited to better control this pervasive honey bee enemy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Reams
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Juliana Rangel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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9
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Ihle KE, de Guzman LI, Danka RG. Social Apoptosis in Varroa Mite Resistant Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:13. [PMID: 35137137 PMCID: PMC8826182 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees are eusocial animals that exhibit both individual and social immune responses, which influence colony health. This is especially well-studied regarding the mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Parasitiformes: Varroidae), a parasite of honey bee brood and disease vector. Varroa was introduced relatively recently to Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and is a major driver of the catastrophic die-off of honey bee colonies in the last decade. In contrast, the original host species, Apis cerana Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is able to survive mite infestations with little effect on colony health and survival. This resilience is due in part to a newly identified social immune response expressed by developing worker brood. Varroa infested female A. cerana brood experience delayed development and eventually die in a process called 'social apoptosis'. Here, an individual's susceptibility to Varroa results in colony level resistance. We tested for the presence of the social apoptosis trait in two Varroa resistant stocks of A. mellifera (Pol-line and Russian) with different selection histories and compared them to a known Varroa-susceptible stock (Italian). We assessed the survival and development of worker brood reared in either highly or lightly infested host colonies, then receiving one of three treatments: uninfested, experimentally inoculated with a Varroa mite, or wounded to simulate Varroa damage. We found that response to treatment was only differentiated in brood reared in lightly infested host colonies, where experimentally infested Russian honey bees had decreased survival relative to the mite-susceptible Italian stock. This is the first evidence that social apoptosis can exist in Western honey bee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Ihle
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Lilia I de Guzman
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Robert G Danka
- Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
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Lang S, Simone-Finstrom M, Healy K. Context-Dependent Viral Transgenerational Immune Priming in Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:19. [PMID: 35137131 PMCID: PMC8826052 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Transgenerational immune priming is the process of increased resistance to infection in offspring due to parental pathogen exposure. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) are hosts to multiple pathogens, and this complex immune function could help protect against overwhelming infection. Honey bees have demonstrated transgenerational immune priming for the bacterial pathogen Paenibacillus larvae; however, evidence for viral transgenerational immune priming is lacking across insects in general. Here we test for the presence of transgenerational immune priming in honey bees with Deformed wing virus (DWV) by injecting pupae from DWV-exposed queens and measuring virus titer and immune gene expression. Our data suggest that there is evidence for viral transgenerational immune priming in honey bees, but it is highly context-dependent based on route of maternal exposure and potentially host genetics or epigenetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lang
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University and AgCenter Louisiana State University 404 Life Sciences Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- USDA ARS Honey Bee, Breeding and Physiology Lab, 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Michael Simone-Finstrom
- USDA ARS Honey Bee, Breeding and Physiology Lab, 1157 Ben Hur Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Kristen Healy
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University and AgCenter Louisiana State University 404 Life Sciences Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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11
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Genetic variations and relationships between deformed wing virus strains infesting honey bees based on structural proteins. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00908-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Transcriptome-level assessment of the impact of deformed wing virus on honey bee larvae. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15028. [PMID: 34294840 PMCID: PMC8298419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94641-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) prevalence is high in honey bee (Apis mellifera) populations. The virus infects honey bees through vertical and horizontal transmission, leading to behavioural changes, wing deformity, and early mortality. To better understand the impacts of viral infection in the larval stage of honey bees, artificially reared honey bee larvae were infected with DWV (1.55 × 1010 copies/per larva). No significant mortality occurred in infected honey bee larvae, while the survival rates decreased significantly at the pupal stage. Examination of DWV replication revealed that viral replication began at 2 days post inoculation (d.p.i.), increased dramatically to 4 d.p.i., and then continuously increased in the pupal stage. To better understand the impact of DWV on the larval stage, DWV-infected and control groups were subjected to transcriptomic analysis at 4 d.p.i. Two hundred fifty-five differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (fold change ≥ 2 or ≤ -2) were identified. Of these DEGs, 168 genes were downregulated, and 87 genes were upregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that 141 DEGs (55.3%) were categorized into molecular functions, cellular components and biological processes. One hundred eleven genes (38 upregulated and 73 downregulated) were annotated by KO (KEGG Orthology) pathway mapping and involved metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism pathways. Validation of DEGs was performed, and the related gene expression levels showed a similar tendency to the DEG predictions at 4 d.p.i.; cell wall integrity and stress response component 1 (wsc1), cuticular protein and myo-inositol 2-dehydrogenase (iolG) were significantly upregulated, and small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel protein (SK) was significantly downregulated at 4 d.p.i. Related gene expression levels at different d.p.i. revealed that these DEGs were significantly regulated from the larval stage to the pupal stage, indicating the potential impacts of gene expression levels from the larval to the pupal stages. Taken together, DWV infection in the honey bee larval stage potentially influences the gene expression levels from larvae to pupae and reduces the survival rate of the pupal stage. This information emphasizes the consequences of DWV prevalence in honey bee larvae for apiculture.
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13
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Tibatá VM, Sanchez A, Palmer-Young E, Junca H, Solarte VM, Madella S, Ariza F, Figueroa J, Corona M. Africanized honey bees in Colombia exhibit high prevalence but low level of infestation of Varroa mites and low prevalence of pathogenic viruses. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244906. [PMID: 34014937 PMCID: PMC8136659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The global spread of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor has promoted the spread and virulence of highly infectious honey bee viruses. This phenomenon is considered the leading cause for the increased number of colony losses experienced by the mite-susceptible European honey bee populations in the Northern hemisphere. Most of the honey bee populations in Central and South America are Africanized honey bees (AHBs), which are considered more resistant to Varroa compared to European honey bees. However, the relationship between Varroa levels and the spread of honey bee viruses in AHBs remains unknown. In this study, we determined Varroa prevalence and infestation levels as well as the prevalence of seven major honey bee viruses in AHBs from three regions of Colombia. We found that although Varroa exhibited high prevalence (92%), its infestation levels were low (4.5%) considering that these populations never received acaricide treatments. We also detected four viruses in the three regions analyzed, but all colonies were asymptomatic, and virus prevalence was considerably lower than those found in other countries with higher rates of mite-associated colony loss (DWV 19.88%, BQCV 17.39%, SBV 23.4%, ABPV 10.56%). Our findings indicate that AHBs possess a natural resistance to Varroa that does not prevent the spread of this parasite among their population, but restrains mite population growth and suppresses the prevalence and pathogenicity of mite-associated viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Manuel Tibatá
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupos de Investigación AYNI–Ciencia y Tecnología Apícola, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrés Sanchez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupos de Investigación AYNI–Ciencia y Tecnología Apícola, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Evan Palmer-Young
- Bee Research Lab, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Howard Junca
- RG Microbial Ecology, Div. Ecogenomics & Holobionts–Microbiomas Foundation, Chia, Colombia
| | - Victor Manuel Solarte
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupos de Investigación AYNI–Ciencia y Tecnología Apícola, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Shayne Madella
- Bee Research Lab, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
| | - Fernando Ariza
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupos de Investigación AYNI–Ciencia y Tecnología Apícola, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Judith Figueroa
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Grupos de Investigación AYNI–Ciencia y Tecnología Apícola, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Miguel Corona
- Bee Research Lab, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abou-Shaara H, AlAshaal S, Nasser M, Nasif O, Alharbi S. Genetic variability and phylogenetic analysis among strains of deformed wing virus infesting honey bees and other organisms. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:1548-1556. [PMID: 33732039 PMCID: PMC7938125 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.12.035] [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: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Various viruses can infect honey bees, but deformed wing virus (DWV) is considered the most dangerous virus to them and has role in the sudden decline of bee colonies. This virus has different strains; however, there are no available studies to compare the characteristics of these strains utilizing bioinformatics. In this study, 27 strains of deformed wing virus were analyzed based on their sequences and their genetic relationships. Also, some primers were designed and tested to identify their ability to separate DWV strains. The percentages range from 28.99% to 29.63%, 22.28% to 22.78%, 15.73% to 16.28%, and 31.71% to 32.86% for nucleotides A, G, C, and T, respectively in all strains. The numbers of polymorphic sites as well as nucleotide diversity were highly similar in all strains. Statistical analyses generally showed the absence of high variations between sequences. Also, the phylogenetic tree classified strains into three groups. The network between strains of each group was established and discussed based on their geographical locations. Two groups contained strains from USA and Europe while one group contained strains from Asia. Rapid variations and mutations in the sequences of DWV were suggested. Notably, genetic studies on DWV are lacking in some geographical regions. The variations between strains detected in honey bees and other organisms were discussed. Four primers were designed and tested beside two reference primers. One of the designed primers showed the best results in binding with all DWV strains except one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam Abou-Shaara
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22516, Egypt
| | - Sara AlAshaal
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Nasser
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omaima Nasif
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University [Medical City], King Khalid University Hospital, PO Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sulaiman Alharbi
- Department of Botany & Microbiology College of Science King, Saud University P.O Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Transcriptomic Responses of the Honey Bee Brain to Infection with Deformed Wing Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020287. [PMID: 33673139 PMCID: PMC7918736 DOI: 10.3390/v13020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Managed colonies of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are under threat from Varroa destructor mite infestation and infection with viruses vectored by mites. In particular, deformed wing virus (DWV) is a common viral pathogen infecting honey bees worldwide that has been shown to induce behavioral changes including precocious foraging and reduced associative learning. We investigated how DWV infection of bees affects the transcriptomic response of the brain. The transcriptomes of individual brains were analyzed using RNA-Seq after experimental infection of newly emerged adult bees with DWV. Two analytical methods were used to identify differentially expressed genes from the ~15,000 genes in the Apis mellifera genome. The 269 genes that had increased expression in DWV infected brains included genes involved in innate immunity such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), Ago2, and Dicer. Single bee brain NMR metabolomics methodology was developed for this work and indicates that proline is strongly elevated in DWV infected brains, consistent with the increased presence of the AMPs abaecin and apidaecin. The 1361 genes with reduced expression levels includes genes involved in cellular communication including G-protein coupled, tyrosine kinase, and ion-channel regulated signaling pathways. The number and function of the downregulated genes suggest that DWV has a major impact on neuron signaling that could explain DWV related behavioral changes.
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16
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Flores JM, Gámiz V, Jiménez-Marín Á, Flores-Cortés A, Gil-Lebrero S, Garrido JJ, Hernando MD. Impact of Varroa destructor and associated pathologies on the colony collapse disorder affecting honey bees. Res Vet Sci 2021; 135:85-95. [PMID: 33454582 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Varroa mite is the major threat to the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, and the cause of significant economic losses in the apiculture industry. Varroa destructor feeds on brood and adult bees being responsible for vectoring virus infections and other diseases. This study analyses the role of Varroa and other associated pathogens, such as viruses or the fungus Nosema ceranae, and their relationships regarding the viability of the bee colony. It has been carried out during one beekeeping season, with the subspecies A. m. iberiensis, commonly used in the apiculture industry of Spain. Our study shows a significant relationship between the presence of Varroa destructor and viral infection by deformed wing virus and acute bee paralysis virus. Nosema ceranae behaved as an opportunistic pathogen. In addition, this study explored a potential naturally occurring subset of peptides, responsible for the humoral immunity of the bees. The expression of the antimicrobial peptides abaecin and melittin showed a significant relationship with the levels of Varroa mite and the deformed wing virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Flores
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Victoria Gámiz
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ángeles Jiménez-Marín
- Department of Genetic, Faculty of Veterinary, Grupo de Genómica y Mejora Animal, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alicia Flores-Cortés
- Department of Genetic, Faculty of Veterinary, Grupo de Genómica y Mejora Animal, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sergio Gil-Lebrero
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan J Garrido
- Department of Genetic, Faculty of Veterinary, Grupo de Genómica y Mejora Animal, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - María Dolores Hernando
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Ullah A, Tlak Gajger I, Majoros A, Dar SA, Khan S, Kalimullah, Haleem Shah A, Nasir Khabir M, Hussain R, Khan HU, Hameed M, Anjum SI. Viral impacts on honey bee populations: A review. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:523-530. [PMID: 33424335 PMCID: PMC7783639 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bee is vital for pollination and ecological services, boosting crops productivity in terms of quality and quantity and production of colony products: wax, royal jelly, bee venom, honey, pollen and propolis. Honey bees are most important plant pollinators and almost one third of diet depends on bee's pollination, worth billions of dollars. Hence the role that honey bees have in environment and their economic importance in food production, their health is of dominant significance. Honey bees can be infected by various pathogens like: viruses, bacteria, fungi, or infested by parasitic mites. At least more than 20 viruses have been identified to infect honey bees worldwide, generally from Dicistroviridae as well as Iflaviridae families, like ABPV (Acute Bee Paralysis Virus), BQCV (Black Queen Cell Virus), KBV (Kashmir Bee Virus), SBV (Sacbrood Virus), CBPV (Chronic bee paralysis virus), SBPV (Slow Bee Paralysis Virus) along with IAPV (Israeli acute paralysis virus), and DWV (Deformed Wing Virus) are prominent and cause infections harmful for honey bee colonies health. This issue about honey bee viruses demonstrates remarkably how diverse this field is, and considerable work has to be done to get a comprehensive interpretation of the bee virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat-26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ivana Tlak Gajger
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Showket Ahmad Dar
- Division of Agricultural Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, India
| | - Sanaullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Kalimullah
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat-26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Haleem Shah
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
| | | | - Riaz Hussain
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat-26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Hikmat Ullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat-26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Hameed
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat-26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Syed Ishtiaq Anjum
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat-26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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18
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Detection of deformed wing virus (DWV) in the Vietnamese walking stick Medauroidea extradentata (Phasmatodea). Virus Res 2020; 293:198263. [PMID: 33359173 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a single-stranded positive sense RNA virus that mainly infects honey bees (Apis mellifera) and can have devastating impacts on the colony. Recent studies have shown the presence of this virus in several species of Apis spp. and some other Hymenoptera, but our knowledge of their host range is very limited. We screened previously sequenced RNAseq libraries from different tissues of Vietnamese Walking Stick, Medauroidea extradentata (Phasmatodea) for DWV. We only found this virus in six libraries from anterior and posterior midgut tissue. From the midgut libraries we were able to construct a complete DWV genome sequence, which consisted of 10,140 nucleotides and included one open reading frame. Pairwise genome comparison confirmed strong similarity (98.89 %) of these assembled sequences with only 113 SNPs to the original DWV genome. We hypothesize the M. extradentata acquired this virus via a foodborne transmission by consuming DWV-infected material such as pollen or leaves contaminated with virus infected bee faeces.
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Jara L, Ruiz C, Martín-Hernández R, Muñoz I, Higes M, Serrano J, De la Rúa P. The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability. Microorganisms 2020; 9:microorganisms9010022. [PMID: 33374609 PMCID: PMC7822443 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Migratory beekeeping is a widely extended practice aimed at increasing the yield of products and pollination services of honey bee colonies. However, it represents a stress factor, as it facilitates the dissemination of diseases and may compromise the genetic identity of the colonies involved. To analyze the extent of these effects, pathogens infestation rate and genetic composition were monitored in a field experiment comparing stationary and migratory colonies sharing the same environmental conditions but differing in management (stationary vs. migratory) and genetic background. We studied the pathogens infestation rate (Varroa destructor, Nosema spp., and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)) at four different times: before migratory operation, two weeks later, at the end of the migratory period, and two weeks after the return of the migratory hives. An increased incidence of V. destructor and Nosema ceranae and a lower DWV viral load were found in migratory colonies. Temporary changes in genetic diversity were detected regardless of colony type, suggesting that stressors other than management affect the genetic diversity of the colonies. Our study demonstrates that migratory practices have variable effects on the health and genetic diversity of honey bee colonies, which should be taken into account for the development of sustainable beekeeping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jara
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (L.J.); (C.R.); (I.M.); (J.S.)
| | - Carlos Ruiz
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (L.J.); (C.R.); (I.M.); (J.S.)
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Spain
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- IRIAF, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (R.M.-H.); (M.H.)
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT, ESF), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Albacete, 02006 Albacete, Spain
| | - Irene Muñoz
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (L.J.); (C.R.); (I.M.); (J.S.)
| | - Mariano Higes
- IRIAF, Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal, Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental (CIAPA), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain; (R.M.-H.); (M.H.)
| | - José Serrano
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (L.J.); (C.R.); (I.M.); (J.S.)
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (L.J.); (C.R.); (I.M.); (J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-868-884-908
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20
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The Combined Effects of Varroa destructor Parasitism and Exposure to Neonicotinoids Affects Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera L.) Memory and Gene Expression. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9090237. [PMID: 32825259 PMCID: PMC7565275 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are exposed biotic and abiotic stressors but little is known about their combined effect and impact on neural processes such as learning and memory, which could affect behaviours that are important for individual and colony survival. This study measured memory with the proboscis extension response (PER) assay as well as the expression of neural genes in bees chronically exposed to three different sublethal doses of the insecticide clothianidin and/or the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. The proportion of bees that positively responded to PER at 24 and 48 h post-training (hpt) was significantly reduced when exposed to clothianidin. V. destructor parasitism reduced the proportion of bees that responded to PER at 48 hpt. Combined effects between the lowest clothianidin dose and V. destructor for the proportion of bees that responded to PER were found at 24 hpt. Clothianidin, V. destructor and their combination differentially affected the expression of the neural-related genes, AmNrx-1 (neurexin), AmNlg-1 (neuroligin), and AmAChE-2 (acetylcholinesterase). Different doses of clothianidin down-regulated or up-regulated the genes, whereas V. destructor tended to have a down-regulatory effect. It appears that clothianidin and V. destructor affected neural processes in honey bees through different mechanisms.
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21
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Huang S, Fei D, Ma Y, Wang C, Shi D, Liu K, Li M, Ma M. Identification of a novel host protein interacting with the structural protein VP2 of deformed wing virus by yeast two-hybrid screening. Virus Res 2020; 286:198072. [PMID: 32659307 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198072] [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: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) interacting with Varroa destructor is a possible cause of honeybee colony mortality. VP2 is the structural protein of DWV but its function remains unknown. To clarify the function of VP2 and screen for novel binding proteins that interact with VP2, we carried out a membrane protein yeast two-hybrid screening using VP2 as bait. Subsequently, the interaction between VP2 and the host interacting protein [heat shock protein 10 (Hsp10)] was further verified using glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay in vitro and co-immunoprecipitation assay in cells. Furthermore, fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed that VP2 and Hsp10 were mainly co-localized in the cytoplasm. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we found that Hsp10 expression in DWV-infected worker honey bees were downregulated compared with that in healthy honey bees. Additionally, we showed that overexpression of VP2 protein could reduce the expression of Hsp10. These results suggest that Hsp10 plays a vital role in host immunity and antiviral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sichao Huang
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Dongliang Fei
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Yueyu Ma
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Donghui Shi
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Kunyang Liu
- Liaoning Provincial Agricultural Development Service Center, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China.
| | - Mingxiao Ma
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China.
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22
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A Highly Prevalent and Pervasive Densovirus Discovered among Sea Stars from the North American Atlantic Coast. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.02723-19. [PMID: 31924612 PMCID: PMC7054102 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02723-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea star wasting syndrome is a disease primarily observed on the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America that has significantly impacted sea star populations. The etiology of this disease is unknown, although it is hypothesized to be caused by a densovirus, SSaDV. However, previous studies have not found a correlation between SSaDV and sea star wasting syndrome on the North American Atlantic Coast. This study suggests that this observation may be explained by the presence of a genetically similar densovirus, AfaDV, that may have confounded previous studies. SSaDV was not present in sea stars screened in this study, and instead, AfaDV was commonly found in sea star populations across the New England region, with no apparent signs of disease. These results suggest that sea star densoviruses may be common constituents of the animals’ microbiome, and the diversity and extent of these viruses among wild populations may be greater than previously recognized. The etiology of sea star wasting syndrome is hypothesized to be caused by a densovirus, sea star-associated densovirus (SSaDV), that has previously been reported on the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of the United States. In this study, we reevaluated the presence of SSaDV among sea stars from the North American Atlantic Coast and in doing so discovered a novel densovirus that we have named Asterias forbesi-associated densovirus (AfaDV), which shares 78% nucleotide pairwise identity with SSaDV. In contrast to previous studies, SSaDV was not detected in sea stars from the North American Atlantic Coast. Using a variety of PCR-based techniques, we investigated the tissue tropism, host specificity, and prevalence of AfaDV among populations of sea stars at five locations along the Atlantic Coast. AfaDV was detected in three sea star species (Asterias forbesi, Asterias rubens, and Henricia sp.) found in this region and was highly prevalent (>80% of individuals tested; n = 134), among sampled populations. AfaDV was detected in the body wall, gonads, and pyloric caeca (digestive gland) of specimens but was not detected in their coelomic fluid. A significant difference in viral load (copies mg−1) was found between tissue types, with the pyloric caeca having the highest viral loads. Further investigation of Asterias forbesi gonad tissue found germ line cells (oocytes) to be virus positive, suggesting a potential route of vertical transmission. Taken together, these observations show that the presence of AfaDV is not an indicator of sea star wasting syndrome because AfaDV is a common constituent of these animals’ microbiome, regardless of health. IMPORTANCE Sea star wasting syndrome is a disease primarily observed on the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America that has significantly impacted sea star populations. The etiology of this disease is unknown, although it is hypothesized to be caused by a densovirus, SSaDV. However, previous studies have not found a correlation between SSaDV and sea star wasting syndrome on the North American Atlantic Coast. This study suggests that this observation may be explained by the presence of a genetically similar densovirus, AfaDV, that may have confounded previous studies. SSaDV was not present in sea stars screened in this study, and instead, AfaDV was commonly found in sea star populations across the New England region, with no apparent signs of disease. These results suggest that sea star densoviruses may be common constituents of the animals’ microbiome, and the diversity and extent of these viruses among wild populations may be greater than previously recognized.
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Guo Y, Goodman CL, Stanley DW, Bonning BC. Cell Lines for Honey Bee Virus Research. Viruses 2020; 12:E236. [PMID: 32093360 PMCID: PMC7077248 DOI: 10.3390/v12020236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With ongoing colony losses driven in part by the Varroa mite and the associated exacerbation of the virus load, there is an urgent need to protect honey bees (Apis mellifera) from fatal levels of virus infection and from the non-target effects of insecticides used in agricultural settings. A continuously replicating cell line derived from the honey bee would provide a valuable tool for the study of molecular mechanisms of virus-host interaction, for the screening of antiviral agents for potential use within the hive, and for the assessment of the risk of current and candidate insecticides to the honey bee. However, the establishment of a continuously replicating honey bee cell line has proved challenging. Here, we provide an overview of attempts to establish primary and continuously replicating hymenopteran cell lines, methods (including recent results) of establishing honey bee cell lines, challenges associated with the presence of latent viruses (especially Deformed wing virus) in established cell lines and methods to establish virus-free cell lines. We also describe the potential use of honey bee cell lines in conjunction with infectious clones of honey bee viruses for examination of fundamental virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Guo
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
| | - Cynthia L. Goodman
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, MO 65203, USA; (C.L.G.); (D.W.S.)
| | - David W. Stanley
- Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, USDA/Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, MO 65203, USA; (C.L.G.); (D.W.S.)
| | - Bryony C. Bonning
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
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de Guzman LI, Simone-Finstrom M, Cervancia C, Tokarz P, Frake AM. Tropilaelaps species identification and viral load evaluation of Tropilaelaps and Varroa mites and their Apis mellifera hosts in Palawan, Philippines. J Invertebr Pathol 2020; 170:107324. [PMID: 31926971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2020.107324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Apis mellifera pupae and their parasites Tropilaelaps and Varroa destructor were collected from honey bee hives in Palawan, Philippines for species identification of the Tropilaelaps and viral analyses. Genetic analysis identified Tropilaelaps mercedesae infesting A. mellifera on the island. Viral analyses showed that all pupae and their infesting Tropilaelaps or Varroa shared the same Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) variant infections with DWV-B being more prevalent than DWV-A. Pupae infested with either Varroa or Tropilaelaps had higher levels of both DWV variants than uninfested pupae. Vigilance is needed to prevent the spread of Tropilaelaps clareae into Palawan and T. mercedesae and DWV variants from Palawan to other provinces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia I de Guzman
- USDA-ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA.
| | - Michael Simone-Finstrom
- USDA-ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Cleofas Cervancia
- Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Philip Tokarz
- USDA-ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Amanda M Frake
- USDA-ARS, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
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25
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Palmer-Young EC, Ngor L, Nevarez RB, Rothman JA, Raffel TR, McFrederick QS. Temperature dependence of parasitic infection and gut bacterial communities in bumble bees. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:4706-4723. [PMID: 31573120 PMCID: PMC7316186 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
High temperatures (e.g., fever) and gut microbiota can both influence host resistance to infection. However, effects of temperature-driven changes in gut microbiota on resistance to parasites remain unexplored. We examined the temperature dependence of infection and gut bacterial communities in bumble bees infected with the trypanosomatid parasite Crithidia bombi. Infection intensity decreased by over 80% between 21 and 37°C. Temperatures of peak infection were lower than predicted based on parasite growth in vitro, consistent with mismatches in thermal performance curves of hosts, parasites and gut symbionts. Gut bacterial community size and composition exhibited slight but significant, non-linear, and taxon-specific responses to temperature. Abundance of total gut bacteria and of Orbaceae, both negatively correlated with infection in previous studies, were positively correlated with infection here. Prevalence of the bee pathogen-containing family Enterobacteriaceae declined with temperature, suggesting that high temperature may confer protection against diverse gut pathogens. Our results indicate that resistance to infection reflects not only the temperature dependence of host and parasite performance, but also temperature-dependent activity of gut bacteria. The thermal ecology of gut parasite-symbiont interactions may be broadly relevant to infectious disease, both in ectothermic organisms that inhabit changing climates, and in endotherms that exhibit fever-based immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C Palmer-Young
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Lyna Ngor
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | | | - Jason A. Rothman
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Thomas R Raffel
- Department of Biology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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Fei D, Guo Y, Fan Q, Wang H, Wu J, Li M, Ma M. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses of two deformed wing virus strains from different honeybee species in China. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7214. [PMID: 31293837 PMCID: PMC6601602 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deformed wing virus (DWV) is one of many viruses that infect honeybees and has been extensively studied because of its close association with honeybee colony collapse that is induced by Varroa destructor. However, virus genotypes, sequence characteristics, and genetic variations of DWV remain unknown in China. Methods Two DWV strains were isolated from Jinzhou and Qinhuangdao cities in China, and were named China1-2017 (accession number: MF770715) and China2-2018 (accession number: MH165180), respectively, and their complete genome sequences were analyzed. To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of the DWV isolates, a phylogenetic tree of the complete open reading frame (ORF), structural protein VP1, and non-structural protein 3C+RdRp of the DWV sequences was constructed using the MEGA 5.0 software program. Then, the similarity and recombinant events of the DWV isolated strains were analyzed using recombination detection program (RDP4) software and genetic algorithm for recombination detection (GARD). Results The complete genomic analysis showed that the genomes of the China1-2017 and China2-2018 DWV strains consisted of 10,141 base pairs (bp) and 10,105 bp, respectively, and contained a single, large ORF (China1-2017: 1,146–9,827 bp; China2-2018: 1,351–9,816 bp) that encoded 2,894 amino acids. The sequences were compared with 20 previously reported DWV sequences from different countries and with sequences of two closely related viruses, Kakugo virus (KV) and V. destructor virus-1. Multiple sequence comparisons revealed a nucleotide identity of 84.3–96.7%, and identity of 94.7–98.6% in amino acids between the two isolate strains and 20 reference strains. The two novel isolates showed 96.7% nucleotide identity and 98.1% amino acid identity. The phylogenetic analyses showed that the two isolates belonged to DWV Type A and were closely related to the KV-2001 strain from Japan. Based on the RDP4 and GARD analyses, the recombination of the China2-2018 strain was located at the 4,266–7,507 nt region, with Korea I-2012 as an infer unknown parent and China-2017 as a minor parent, which spanned the entire helicase ORF. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to the complete sequence of DWV isolated from Apis cerana and the possible DWV recombination events in China. Our findings are important for further research of the phylogenetic relationship of DWVs in China with DWV strains from other countries and also contribute to the understanding of virological properties of these complex DWV recombinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongliang Fei
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Haerbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yaxi Guo
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Qiong Fan
- Jinzhou Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Haoqi Wang
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiadi Wu
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Ming Li
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Mingxiao Ma
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
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Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) has become the most well-known, widespread, and intensively studied insect pathogen in the world. Although DWV was previously present in honeybee populations, the arrival and global spread of a new vector, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, has dramatically altered DWV epidemiology. DWV is now the most prevalent virus in honeybees, with a minimum average of 55% of colonies/apiaries infected across 32 countries. Additionally, DWV has been detected in 65 arthropod species spanning eight insect orders and three orders of Arachnida. Here, we describe the significant progress that has been made in elucidating the capsid structure of the virus, understanding its ever-expanding host range, and tracking the constantly evolving DWV genome and formation of recombinants. The construction of molecular clones, working with DWV in cell lines, and the development of immunohistochemistry methods will all help the community to move forward. Identifying the tissues in which DWV variants are replicating and understanding the impact of DWV in non-honeybee hosts are major new goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Martin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, United Kingdom;
| | - Laura E Brettell
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales 2751, Australia;
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28
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Schurr F, Tison A, Militano L, Cheviron N, Sircoulomb F, Rivière MP, Ribière-Chabert M, Thiéry R, Dubois E. Validation of quantitative real-time RT-PCR assays for the detection of six honeybee viruses. J Virol Methods 2019; 270:70-78. [PMID: 31026560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2019.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Sacbrood virus (SBV) and Varroa destructor virus 1 (VDV1) are the six main honeybee viruses reported in Europe. We assessed the accuracy (trueness and precision) of reverse transcriptase quantitative TaqMan® PCR methods (RT-qPCR) for quantifying ABPV, BQCV, DWV, VDV1 and SBV loads. Once the systematic bias in quantitative results had been corrected (overestimation in ABPV and BQCV quantification and underestimation in that of SBV and VDV1), measurements were taken to determine the viral load ranges for which quantification uncertainty was below ± 1 log10 equivalent of genome copies per bee (hereafter reported as genome copies/bee). The accuracy range of RT-qPCR was found to be between 6.4 and 10.4 log10 genome copies/bee for ABPV, between 3.0 and 10.0 log10 genome copies/bee for BQCV, between 2.4 and 10.4 log10 genome copies/bee for DWV and between 3.4 and 10.4 log10 genome copies/bee for SBV. Outside these ranges, the results' uncertainty is higher. VDV1 RT-qPCR accuracy was outside accuracy limits for all viral loads. Using these RT-qPCR methods, we quantified viral loads in naturally-infected honeybees. The viral load distribution and clinical signs reported with the honeybee samples allowed us to define a threshold that could be used to differentiate between covert and overt infections. These methods will be useful in diagnosing the main viral infections impairing honeybee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Schurr
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Amandine Tison
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Laura Militano
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Nicolas Cheviron
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Fabrice Sircoulomb
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Rivière
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Magali Ribière-Chabert
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Richard Thiéry
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Eric Dubois
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), European Reference Laboratory for Honeybee Health, Unit of Honeybee Pathology, 105 route des Chappes, F-06902 Sophia Antipolis, France.
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The Dynamics of Deformed Wing Virus Concentration and Host Defensive Gene Expression after Varroa Mite Parasitism in Honey Bees, Apis mellifera. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10010016. [PMID: 30626033 PMCID: PMC6358901 DOI: 10.3390/insects10010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The synergistic interactions between the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor and Deformed wing virus (DWV) lead to the reduction in lifespan of the European honey bee Apis mellifera and often have been implicated in colony losses worldwide. However, to date, the underlying processes and mechanisms that form the multipartite interaction between the bee, mite, and virus have not been fully explained. To gain a better understanding of honey bees’ defense response to Varroa mite infestation and DWV infection, the DWV titers and transcription profiles of genes originating from RNAi, immunity, wound response, and homeostatic signaling pathways were monitored over a period of eight days. With respect to DWV, we observed low viral titers at early timepoints that coincided with high levels of Toll pathway transcription factor Dorsal, and its downstream immune effector molecules Hymenoptaecin, Apidaecin, Abaecin, and Defensin 1. However, we observed a striking increase in viral titers beginning after two days that coincided with a decrease in Dorsal levels and its corresponding immune effector molecules, and the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) ligase repressor of Dorsal, PIAS3. We observed a similar expression pattern for genes expressing transcripts for the RNA interference (Dicer/Argonaute), wound/homeostatic (Janus Kinase), and tissue growth (Map kinase/Wnt) pathways. Our results demonstrate that on a whole, honey bees are able to mount an immediate, albeit, temporally limited, immune and homeostatic response to Varroa and DWV infections, after which downregulation of these pathways leaves the bee vulnerable to expansive viral replication. The critical insights into the defense response upon Varroa and DWV challenges generated in this study may serve as a solid base for future research on the development of effective and efficient disease management strategies in honey bees.
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30
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Palmer-Young EC, Raffel TR, McFrederick QS. Temperature-mediated inhibition of a bumblebee parasite by an intestinal symbiont. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.2041. [PMID: 30381384 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition between organisms is often mediated by environmental factors, including temperature. In animal intestines, nonpathogenic symbionts compete physically and chemically against pathogens, with consequences for host infection. We used metabolic theory-based models to characterize differential responses to temperature of a bacterial symbiont and a co-occurring trypanosomatid parasite of bumblebees, which regulate body temperature during flight and incubation. We hypothesized that inhibition of parasites by bacterial symbionts would increase with temperature, due to symbionts having higher optimal growth temperatures than parasites. We found that a temperature increase over the range measured in bumblebee colonies would favour symbionts over parasites. As predicted by our hypothesis, symbionts reduced the optimal growth temperature for parasites, both in direct competition and when parasites were exposed to symbiont spent medium. Inhibitory effects of the symbiont increased with temperature, reflecting accelerated growth and acid production by symbionts. Our results indicate that high temperatures, whether due to host endothermy or environmental factors, can enhance the inhibitory effects of symbionts on parasites. Temperature-modulated manipulation of microbiota could be one explanation for fever- and heat-induced reductions of infection in animals, with consequences for diseases of medical and conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C Palmer-Young
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Thomas R Raffel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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31
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Amiri E, Kryger P, Meixner MD, Strand MK, Tarpy DR, Rueppell O. Quantitative patterns of vertical transmission of deformed wing virus in honey bees. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195283. [PMID: 29596509 PMCID: PMC5875871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is an important pathogen in a broad range of insects, including honey bees. Concordant with the spread of Varroa, DWV is present in the majority of honey bee colonies and can result in either low-level infections with asymptomatic bees that nonetheless exhibit increased colony loss under stress, or high-level infections with acute effects on bee health and viability. DWV can be transmitted vertically or horizontally and evidence suggests that horizontal transmission via Varroa is associated with acute symptomatic infections. Vertical transmission also occurs and is presumably important for the maintenance of DWV in honey bee populations. To further our understanding the vertical transmission of DWV through queens, we performed three experiments: we studied the quantitative effectiveness of vertical transmission, surveyed the prevalence of successful egg infection under commercial conditions, and distinguished among three possible mechanisms of transmission. We find that queen-infection level predicts the DWV titers in their eggs, although the transmission is not very efficient. Our quantitative assessment of DWV demonstrates that eggs in 1/3 of the colonies are infected with DWV and highly infected eggs are rare in newly-installed spring colonies. Additionally, our results indicate that DWV transmission occurs predominantly by virus adhering to the surface of eggs (transovum) rather than intracellularly. Our combined results suggest that the queens' DWV vectoring capacity in practice is not as high as its theoretical potential. Thus, DWV transmission by honey bee queens is part of the DWV epidemic with relevant practical implications, which should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeil Amiri
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States of America
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Per Kryger
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Marina D. Meixner
- Bieneninstitut Kirchhain, Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen, Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Micheline K. Strand
- Life Sciences Division, U.S. Army Research Office, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | - David R. Tarpy
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Olav Rueppell
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States of America
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32
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Egekwu NI, Posada F, Sonenshine DE, Cook S. Using an in vitro system for maintaining Varroa destructor mites on Apis mellifera pupae as hosts: studies of mite longevity and feeding behavior. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 74:301-315. [PMID: 29511937 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0236-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Varroa destructor mites (varroa) are ectoparasites of Apis mellifera honey bees, and the damage they inflict on hosts is likely a causative factor of recent poor honey bee colony performance. Research has produced an arsenal of control agents against varroa mites, which have become resistant to many chemical means of their control, and other means have uncertain efficacy. Novel means of control will result from a thorough understanding of varroa physiology and behavior. However, robust knowledge of varroa biology is lacking; mites have very low survivability and reproduction away from their natural environment and host, and few tested protocols of maintaining mites in vitro are available as standardized methods for varroa research. Here, we describe the 'varroa maintenance system' (VMS), a tool for maintaining in vitro populations of varroa on its natural host, and present best practices for its use in varroa and host research. Additionally, we present results using the VMS from research of varroa and host longevity and varroa feeding behavior. Under these conditions, from two trials, mites lived an average of 12 and 14 days, respectively. For studies of feeding behavior, female mites inflicted wounds located on a wide range of sites on the host's integument, but preferred to feed from the host's abdomen and thorax. Originally in the phoretic-phase, female mites in VMS had limited reproduction, but positive instances give insights into the cues necessary for initiating reproduction. The VMS is a useful tool for laboratory studies requiring long-term survival of mites, or host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noble I Egekwu
- Bee Research Lab, USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA.
| | - Francisco Posada
- Bee Research Lab, USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Daniel E Sonenshine
- Bee Research Lab, USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - Steven Cook
- Bee Research Lab, USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
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Palmer-Young EC, Tozkar CÖ, Schwarz RS, Chen Y, Irwin RE, Adler LS, Evans JD. Nectar and Pollen Phytochemicals Stimulate Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Immunity to Viral Infection. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 110:1959-1972. [PMID: 28981688 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cansu Ö Tozkar
- Bee Research Lab, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
| | - Ryan S Schwarz
- Bee Research Lab, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
| | - Yanping Chen
- Bee Research Lab, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
| | - Rebecca E Irwin
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Lynn S Adler
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
| | - Jay D Evans
- Bee Research Lab, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
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Abbo PM, Kawasaki JK, Hamilton M, Cook SC, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Li WF, Liu J, Chen YP. Effects of Imidacloprid and Varroa destructor on survival and health of European honey bees, Apis mellifera. INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 24:467-477. [PMID: 26990560 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There has been growing concern over declines in populations of honey bees and other pollinators which are a vital part to our food security. It is imperative to identify factors responsible for accelerated declines in bee populations and develop solutions for reversing bee losses. While exact causes of colony losses remain elusive, risk factors thought to play key roles are ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and neonicotinoid pesticides. The present study aims to investigate effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide Imidacloprid and Varroa mites individually on survivorship, growth, physiology, virus dynamics and immunity of honey bee workers. Our study provides clear evidence that the exposure to sublethal doses of Imidacloprid could exert a significantly negative effect on health and survival of honey bees. We observed a significant reduction in the titer of vitellogenin (Vg), an egg yolk precursor that regulates the honey bees development and behavior and often are linked to energy homeostasis, in bees exposed to Imidacloprid. This result indicates that sublethal exposure to neonicotinoid could lead to increased energy usage in honey bees as detoxification is a energy-consuming metabolic process and suggests that Vg could be a useful biomarker for measuring levels of energy stress and sublethal effects of pesticides on honey bees. Measurement of the quantitative effects of different levels of Varroa mite infestation on the replication dynamic of Deformed wing virus (DWV), an RNA virus associated with Varroa infestation, and expression level of immune genes yields unique insights into how honey bees respond to stressors under laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pendo M Abbo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua K Kawasaki
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Steven C Cook
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Wen Feng Li
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Ping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
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Molineri AI, Pacini A, Giacobino A, Bulacio-Cagnolo N, Aignasse A, Zago L, Fondevila N, Ferrufino C, Merke J, Orellano E, Bertozzi E, Pietronave H, Signorini ML. Prevalence of honey bee (Apis mellifera) viruses in temperate and subtropical regions from Argentina. Rev Argent Microbiol 2017; 49:166-173. [PMID: 28449942 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In Argentina, bee virus studies are still incipient, and there are no studies regarding the climatic effect. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the presence of honeybee viruses in different climatic regions from Argentina. A total of 385 colonies distributed in five Argentinean eco-regions were examined to evaluate the percentage of infestation with Varroa destructor and the presence of seven virus species (Deformed wing virus, DWV; Acute bee paralysis virus, ABPV; Chronic bee paralysis virus, CBPV; Black queen cell virus, BQCV; Kashmer bee virus, KBV; Israeli acute bee paralysis virus, IAPV; and Sacbrood bee virus, SBV) after honey yield. Two viruses, KBV and IAPV, were not detected. The other five viruses were found in different prevalences: DWV (35%), ABPV (21.5%), BQCV (8.0%), CBPV (2.2%), and SBV (1.1%). We found double and triple viral associations in approximately 25% of the sampled colonies. The mean V. destructor infestation in the colonies prior to the acaricide treatment was 7.12%±8.7%. The knowledge of the prevalence of these viruses in the region and their relation with the mite and other possible influencing factors is important for preventing colony losses. Further studies are necessary to identify the risk factors associated with virus presence and its relationship with other pathogens such as V. destructor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Molineri
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Adriana Pacini
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Agostina Giacobino
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Andrea Aignasse
- Ministerio de la Producción de la Provincia de Formosa, Programa para el Desarrollo Apícola, Formosa, Argentina
| | - Luis Zago
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Resistencia, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina
| | - Norberto Fondevila
- Instituto de Virología, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Los Reseros y Las Cabañas, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Ferrufino
- Instituto de Virología, Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Los Reseros y Las Cabañas, Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Merke
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Emanuel Orellano
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Bertozzi
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Hernán Pietronave
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcelo L Signorini
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria EEA Rafaela, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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36
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Drescher N, Klein AM, Neumann P, Yañez O, Leonhardt SD. Inside Honeybee Hives: Impact of Natural Propolis on the Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor and Viruses. INSECTS 2017; 8:E15. [PMID: 28178181 PMCID: PMC5371943 DOI: 10.3390/insects8010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Social immunity is a key factor for honeybee health, including behavioral defense strategies such as the collective use of antimicrobial plant resins (propolis). While laboratory data repeatedly show significant propolis effects, field data are scarce, especially at the colony level. Here, we investigated whether propolis, as naturally deposited in the nests, can protect honeybees against ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and associated viruses, which are currently considered the most serious biological threat to European honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera, globally. Propolis intake of 10 field colonies was manipulated by either reducing or adding freshly collected propolis. Mite infestations, titers of deformed wing virus (DWV) and sacbrood virus (SBV), resin intake, as well as colony strength were recorded monthly from July to September 2013. We additionally examined the effect of raw propolis volatiles on mite survival in laboratory assays. Our results showed no significant effects of adding or removing propolis on mite survival and infestation levels. However, in relation to V. destructor, DWV titers increased significantly less in colonies with added propolis than in propolis-removed colonies, whereas SBV titers were similar. Colonies with added propolis were also significantly stronger than propolis-removed colonies. These findings indicate that propolis may interfere with the dynamics of V. destructor-transmitted viruses, thereby further emphasizing the importance of propolis for honeybee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Drescher
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, Lüneburg D-21335, Germany.
| | - Alexandra-Maria Klein
- Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, Freiburg D-79106, Germany.
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern CH-3003, Switzerland.
- Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope, Bern CH-3003, Switzerland.
| | - Orlando Yañez
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, Bern CH-3003, Switzerland.
- Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope, Bern CH-3003, Switzerland.
| | - Sara D Leonhardt
- Department of Animal Department of Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg, Biocenter-Am Hubland, Würzburg D-97074, Germany.
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Sadanandan SA, Ekström JO, Jonna VR, Hofer A, Hultmark D. VP3 is crucial for the stability of Nora virus virions. Virus Res 2016; 223:20-7. [PMID: 27329665 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Nora virus is an enteric virus that causes persistent, non-pathological infection in Drosophila melanogaster. It replicates in the fly gut and is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Nora virus has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome, which is translated in four open reading frames. Reading frame three encodes the VP3 protein, the structure and function of which we have investigated in this work. We have shown that VP3 is a trimer that has an α-helical secondary structure, with a functionally important coiled-coil domain. In order to identify the role of VP3 in the Nora virus life cycle, we constructed VP3-mutants using the cDNA clone of the virus. Our results show that VP3 does not have a role in the actual assembly of the virus particles, but virions that lack VP3 or harbor VP3 with a disrupted coiled coil domain are incapable of transmission via the fecal-oral route. Removing the region downstream of the putative coiled coil appears to have an effect on the fitness of the virus but does not hamper its replication or transmission. We also found that the VP3 protein and particularly the coiled coil domain are crucial for the stability of Nora virus virions when exposed to heat or proteases. Hence, we propose that VP3 is imperative to Nora virus virions as it confers stability to the viral capsid.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jens-Ola Ekström
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden; Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Venkateswara Rao Jonna
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Hofer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Dan Hultmark
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden; Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland.
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Wegener J, Ruhnke H, Scheller K, Mispagel S, Knollmann U, Kamp G, Bienefeld K. Pathogenesis of varroosis at the level of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 91-92:1-9. [PMID: 27296894 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The parasitic mite Varroa destructor, in interaction with different viruses, is the main cause of honey bee colony mortality in most parts of the world. Here we studied how effects of individual-level parasitization are reflected by the bee colony as a whole. We measured disease progression in an apiary of 24 hives with differing degree of mite infestation, and investigated its relationship to 28 biometrical, physiological and biochemical indicators. In early summer, when the most heavily infested colonies already showed reduced growth, an elevated ratio of brood to bees, as well as a strong presence of phenoloxidase/prophenoloxidase in hive bees were found to be predictors of the time of colony collapse. One month later, the learning performance of worker bees as well as the activity of glucose oxidase measured from head extracts were significantly linked to the timing of colony collapse. Colonies at the brink of collapse were characterized by reduced weight of winter bees and a strong increase in their relative body water content. Our data confirm the importance of the immune system, known from studies of individually-infested bees, for the pathogenesis of varroosis at colony level. However, they also show that single-bee effects cannot always be extrapolated to the colony as a whole. This fact, together with the prominent role of colony-level factors like the ratio between brood and bees for disease progression, stress the importance of the superorganismal dimension of Varroa research.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wegener
- Bee Research Institute, F.-Engels-Strasse 32, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany.
| | - H Ruhnke
- Bee Research Institute, F.-Engels-Strasse 32, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - K Scheller
- Bee Research Institute, F.-Engels-Strasse 32, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
| | - S Mispagel
- AMP-Lab GmbH, Becherweg 9-11, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - U Knollmann
- AMP-Lab GmbH, Becherweg 9-11, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - G Kamp
- AMP-Lab GmbH, Becherweg 9-11, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - K Bienefeld
- Bee Research Institute, F.-Engels-Strasse 32, 16540 Hohen Neuendorf, Germany
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Desai SD, Currie RW. Effects of Wintering Environment and Parasite-Pathogen Interactions on Honey Bee Colony Loss in North Temperate Regions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159615. [PMID: 27448049 PMCID: PMC4957765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Extreme winter losses of honey bee colonies are a major threat to beekeeping but the combinations of factors underlying colony loss remain debatable. We monitored colonies in two environments (colonies wintered indoors or outdoors) and characterized the effects of two parasitic mites, seven viruses, and Nosema on honey bee colony mortality and population loss over winter. Samples were collected from two locations within hives in fall, mid-winter and spring of 2009/2010. Although fall parasite and pathogen loads were similar in outdoor and indoor-wintered colonies, the outdoor-wintered colonies had greater relative reductions in bee population score over winter. Seasonal patterns in deformed wing virus (DWV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), and Nosema level also differed with the wintering environment. DWV and Nosema levels decreased over winter for indoor-wintered colonies but BQCV did not. Both BQCV and Nosema concentration increased over winter in outdoor-wintered colonies. The mean abundance of Varroa decreased and concentration of Sacbrood virus (SBV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), and Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) increased over winter but seasonal patterns were not affected by wintering method. For most viruses, either entrance or brood area samples were reasonable predictors of colony virus load but there were significant season*sample location interactions for Nosema and BQCV, indicating that care must be taken when selecting samples from a single location. For Nosema spp., the fall entrance samples were better predictors of future infestation levels than were fall brood area samples. For indoor-wintered colonies, Israeli acute paralysis virus IAPV concentration was negatively correlated with spring population size. For outdoor-wintered hives, spring Varroa abundance and DWV concentration were positively correlated with bee loss and negatively correlated with spring population size. Multivariate analyses for fall collected samples indicated higher DWV was associated with colony death as did high SBV for spring-collected samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh D. Desai
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Robert W. Currie
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
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Anguiano-Baez R, Guzman-Novoa E, Md Hamiduzzaman M, Espinosa-Montaño LG, Correa-Benítez A. Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) Parasitism and Climate Differentially Influence the Prevalence, Levels, and Overt Infections of Deformed Wing Virus in Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2016; 16:iew029. [PMID: 27252482 PMCID: PMC4887826 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iew029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence and loads of deformed wing virus (DWV) between honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies from a tropical and a temperate environment were compared. The interaction between these environments and the mite Varroa destructor in relation to DWV prevalence, levels, and overt infections, was also analyzed. V. destructor rates were determined, and samples of mites, adult bees, brood parasitized with varroa mites and brood not infested by mites were analyzed. DWV was detected in 100% of the mites and its prevalence and loads in honey bees were significantly higher in colonies from the temperate climate than in colonies from the tropical climate. Significant interactions were found between climate and type of sample, with the highest levels of DWV found in varroa-parasitized brood from temperate climate colonies. Additionally, overt infections were observed only in the temperate climate. Varroa parasitism and DWV loads in bees from colonies with overt infections were significantly higher than in bees from colonies with covert infections. These results suggest that interactions between climate, V. destructor, and possibly other factors, may play a significant role in the prevalence and levels of DWV in honey bee colonies, as well as in the development of overt infections. Several hypotheses are discussed to explain these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Anguiano-Baez
- Departamento de Producción Animal: Abejas, FMVZ, UNAM, Cd. Univ., Mexico DF 04510, Mexico (; ; )
| | - Ernesto Guzman-Novoa
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Mollah Md Hamiduzzaman
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Laura G Espinosa-Montaño
- Departamento de Producción Animal: Abejas, FMVZ, UNAM, Cd. Univ., Mexico DF 04510, Mexico (; ; )
| | - Adriana Correa-Benítez
- Departamento de Producción Animal: Abejas, FMVZ, UNAM, Cd. Univ., Mexico DF 04510, Mexico (; ; )
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41
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Impact of the Phoretic Phase on Reproduction and Damage Caused by Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) to Its Host, the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153482. [PMID: 27096154 PMCID: PMC4838260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite of the honeybee that causes thousands of colony losses worldwide. The parasite cycle is composed of a phoretic and a reproductive phase. During the former, mites stay on adult bees, mostly on nurses, to feed on hemolymph. During the latter, the parasites enter brood cells and reproduce. We investigated if the type of bees on which Varroa stays during the phoretic phase and if the duration of this stay influenced the reproductive success of the parasite and the damage caused to bees. For that purpose, we used an in vitro rearing method developed in our laboratory to assess egg laying rate and the presence and number of fully molted daughters. The expression level of two Varroa vitellogenin genes (VdVg1 and VdVg2), known to vary throughout reproduction, was also quantified. Results showed that the status of the bees or time spent during the phoretic phase impacts neither reproduction parameters nor the Varroa vitellogenin genes levels of expression. However, we correlated these parameters to the gene expression and demonstrated that daughters expressed the vitellogenin genes at lower levels than their mother. Regarding the damage to bees, the data indicated that a longer stay on adult bees during the phoretic phase resulted in more frequent physical deformity in newborn bees. We showed that those mites carry more viral loads of the Deformed Wing Virus and hence trigger more frequently overt infections. This study provides new perspectives towards a better understanding of the Varroa-honeybee interactions.
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Loftus JC, Smith ML, Seeley TD. How Honey Bee Colonies Survive in the Wild: Testing the Importance of Small Nests and Frequent Swarming. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150362. [PMID: 26968000 PMCID: PMC4788434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, and the viruses that it transmits, kill the colonies of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) kept by beekeepers unless the bees are treated with miticides. Nevertheless, there exist populations of wild colonies of European honey bees that are persisting without being treated with miticides. We hypothesized that the persistence of these wild colonies is due in part to their habits of nesting in small cavities and swarming frequently. We tested this hypothesis by establishing two groups of colonies living either in small hives (42 L) without swarm-control treatments or in large hives (up to 168 L) with swarm-control treatments. We followed the colonies for two years and compared the two groups with respect to swarming frequency, Varroa infesttion rate, disease incidence, and colony survival. Colonies in small hives swarmed more often, had lower Varroa infestation rates, had less disease, and had higher survival compared to colonies in large hives. These results indicate that the smaller nest cavities and more frequent swarming of wild colonies contribute to their persistence without mite treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Carter Loftus
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas D. Seeley
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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43
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Brandt A, Gorenflo A, Siede R, Meixner M, Büchler R. The neonicotinoids thiacloprid, imidacloprid, and clothianidin affect the immunocompetence of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 86:40-7. [PMID: 26776096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A strong immune defense is vital for honey bee health and colony survival. This defense can be weakened by environmental factors that may render honey bees more vulnerable to parasites and pathogens. Honey bees are frequently exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides, which are being discussed as one of the stress factors that may lead to colony failure. We investigated the sublethal effects of the neonicotinoids thiacloprid, imidacloprid, and clothianidin on individual immunity, by studying three major aspects of immunocompetence in worker bees: total hemocyte number, encapsulation response, and antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph. In laboratory experiments, we found a strong impact of all three neonicotinoids. Thiacloprid (24h oral exposure, 200 μg/l or 2000 μg/l) and imidacloprid (1 μg/l or 10 μg/l) reduced hemocyte density, encapsulation response, and antimicrobial activity even at field realistic concentrations. Clothianidin had an effect on these immune parameters only at higher than field realistic concentrations (50-200 μg/l). These results suggest that neonicotinoids affect the individual immunocompetence of honey bees, possibly leading to an impaired disease resistance capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annely Brandt
- LLH Bee Institute, Erlenstr. 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany.
| | - Anna Gorenflo
- LLH Bee Institute, Erlenstr. 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Reinhold Siede
- LLH Bee Institute, Erlenstr. 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Marina Meixner
- LLH Bee Institute, Erlenstr. 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
| | - Ralph Büchler
- LLH Bee Institute, Erlenstr. 9, 35274 Kirchhain, Germany
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44
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Carrillo-Tripp J, Dolezal AG, Goblirsch MJ, Miller WA, Toth AL, Bonning BC. In vivo and in vitro infection dynamics of honey bee viruses. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22265. [PMID: 26923109 PMCID: PMC4770293 DOI: 10.1038/srep22265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is commonly infected by multiple viruses. We developed an experimental system for the study of such mixed viral infections in newly emerged honey bees and in the cell line AmE-711, derived from honey bee embryos. When inoculating a mixture of iflavirids [sacbrood bee virus (SBV), deformed wing virus (DWV)] and dicistrovirids [Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV)] in both live bee and cell culture assays, IAPV replicated to higher levels than other viruses despite the fact that SBV was the major component of the inoculum mixture. When a different virus mix composed mainly of the dicistrovirid Kashmir bee virus (KBV) was tested in cell culture, the outcome was a rapid increase in KBV but not IAPV. We also sequenced the complete genome of an isolate of DWV that covertly infects the AmE-711 cell line, and found that this virus does not prevent IAPV and KBV from accumulating to high levels and causing cytopathic effects. These results indicate that different mechanisms of virus-host interaction affect virus dynamics, including complex virus-virus interactions, superinfections, specific virus saturation limits in cells and virus specialization for different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Carrillo-Tripp
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Adam G. Dolezal
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | | | - W. Allen Miller
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Amy L. Toth
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Bryony C. Bonning
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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Mordecai GJ, Brettell LE, Martin SJ, Dixon D, Jones IM, Schroeder DC. Superinfection exclusion and the long-term survival of honey bees in Varroa-infested colonies. ISME JOURNAL 2015; 10:1182-91. [PMID: 26505829 PMCID: PMC5029227 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2015.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, many millions of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies have died as the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has spread around the world. Subsequent studies have indicated that the mite's association with a group of RNA viral pathogens (Deformed Wing Virus, DWV) correlates with colony death. Here, we propose a phenomenon known as superinfection exclusion that provides an explanation of how certain A. mellifera populations have survived, despite Varroa infestation and high DWV loads. Next-generation sequencing has shown that a non-lethal DWV variant 'type B' has become established in these colonies and that the lethal 'type A' DWV variant fails to persist in the bee population. We propose that this novel stable host-pathogen relationship prevents the accumulation of lethal variants, suggesting that this interaction could be exploited for the development of an effective treatment that minimises colony losses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon J Mordecai
- Viral Ecology, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Laura E Brettell
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen J Martin
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, The University of Salford, Manchester, UK
| | - David Dixon
- Viral Ecology, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK
| | - Ian M Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
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46
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Four Categories of Viral Infection Describe the Health Status of Honey Bee Colonies. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140272. [PMID: 26448627 PMCID: PMC4598008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bee virus prevalence data are an essential prerequisite for managing epidemic events in a population. A survey study was carried out for seven viruses in colonies representing a healthy Danish honey bee population. In addition, colonies from apiaries with high level Varroa infestation or high level of winter mortality were also surveyed. Results from RT-qPCR showed a considerable difference of virus levels between healthy and sick colonies. In the group of healthy colonies, no virus was detected in 36% of cases, while at least one virus was found in each of the sick colonies. Virus titers varied among the samples, and multiple virus infections were common in both groups with a high prevalence of Sacbrood virus (SBV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV) and Deformed wing virus (DWV). Based on the distribution of virus titers, we established four categories of infection: samples free of virus (C = 0), samples with low virus titer (estimated number of virus copies 0 < C < 103), samples with medium virus titer (103 ≤ C < 107) and samples with high virus titer (C ≥ 107). This allowed us to statistically compare virus levels in healthy and sick colonies. Using categories to communicate virus diagnosis results to beekeepers may help them to reach an informed decision on management strategies to prevent further spread of viruses among colonies.
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47
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Steinmann N, Corona M, Neumann P, Dainat B. Overwintering Is Associated with Reduced Expression of Immune Genes and Higher Susceptibility to Virus Infection in Honey Bees. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129956. [PMID: 26121358 PMCID: PMC4486728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The eusocial honey bee, Apis mellifera, has evolved remarkable abilities to survive extreme seasonal differences in temperature and availability of resources by dividing the worker caste into two groups that differ in physiology and lifespan: summer and winter bees. Most of the recent major losses of managed honey bee colonies occur during the winter, suggesting that winter bees may have compromised immune function and higher susceptibility to diseases. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the expression of eight immune genes and naturally occurring infection levels of deformed wing virus (DWV), one of the most widespread viruses in A. mellifera populations, between summer and winter bees. Possible interactions between immune response and physiological activity were tested by measuring the expression of vitellogenin and methyl farnesoate epoxidase, a gene coding for the last enzyme involved in juvenile hormone biosynthesis. Our data show that high DWV loads in winter bees correlate with reduced expression of genes involved in the cellular immune response and physiological activity and high expression of humoral immune genes involved in antibacterial defense compared with summer bees. This expression pattern could reflect evolutionary adaptations to resist bacterial pathogens and economize energy during the winter under a pathogen landscape with reduced risk of pathogenic viral infections. The outbreak of Varroa destructor infestation could have overcome these adaptations by promoting the transmission of viruses. Our results suggest that reduced cellular immune function during the winter may have increased honey bee’s susceptibility to DWV. These results contribute to our understanding of honey bee colony losses in temperate regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Steinmann
- Agroscope—Swiss Bee Research Center—Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty and Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bremgartenstr. 109a, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Miguel Corona
- Bee Research Laboratory USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States of America
| | - Peter Neumann
- Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty and Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bremgartenstr. 109a, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Dainat
- Agroscope—Swiss Bee Research Center—Liebefeld, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Bee Health Service, apiservice, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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48
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Zheng HQ, Gong HR, Huang SK, Sohr A, Hu FL, Chen YP. Evidence of the synergistic interaction of honey bee pathogens Nosema ceranae and Deformed wing virus. Vet Microbiol 2015; 177:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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49
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Lower virus infections in Varroa destructor-infested and uninfested brood and adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) of a low mite population growth colony compared to a high mite population growth colony. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118885. [PMID: 25723540 PMCID: PMC4344307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A comparison was made of the prevalence and relative quantification of deformed wing virus (DWV), Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) and sac brood virus (SBV) in brood and adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) from colonies selected for high (HMP) and low (LMP) Varroa destructor mite population growth. Two viruses, ABPV and SBV, were never detected. For adults without mite infestation, DWV, IAPV, BQCV and KBV were detected in the HMP colony; however, only BQCV was detected in the LMP colony but at similar levels as in the HMP colony. With mite infestation, the four viruses were detected in adults of the HMP colony but all at higher amounts than in the LMP colony. For brood without mite infestation, DWV and IAPV were detected in the HMP colony, but no viruses were detected in the LMP colony. With mite infestation of brood, the four viruses were detected in the HMP colony, but only DWV and IAPV were detected and at lower amounts in the LMP colony. An epidemiological explanation for these results is that pre-experiment differences in virus presence and levels existed between the HMP and LMP colonies. It is also possible that low V. destructor population growth in the LMP colony resulted in the bees being less exposed to the mite and thus less likely to have virus infections. LMP and HMP bees may have also differed in susceptibility to virus infection.
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50
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Hamiduzzaman MM, Guzman-Novoa E, Goodwin PH, Reyes-Quintana M, Koleoglu G, Correa-Benítez A, Petukhova T. Differential responses of Africanized and European honey bees (Apis mellifera) to viral replication following mechanical transmission or Varroa destructor parasitism. J Invertebr Pathol 2014; 126:12-20. [PMID: 25527405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
For the first time, adults and brood of Africanized and European honey bees (Apis mellifera) were compared for relative virus levels over 48 h following Varroa destructor parasitism or injection of V. destructor homogenate. Rates of increase of deformed wing virus (DWV) for Africanized versus European bees were temporarily lowered for 12h with parasitism and sustainably lowered over the entire experiment (48 h) with homogenate injection in adults. The rates were also temporarily lowered for 24h with parasitism but were not affected by homogenate injection in brood. Rates of increase of black queen cell virus (BQCV) for Africanized versus European bees were similar with parasitism but sustainably lowered over the entire experiment with homogenate injection in adults and were similar for parasitism and homogenate injection in brood. Analyses of sac brood bee virus and Israeli acute paralysis virus were limited as detection did not occur after both homogenate injection and parasitism treatment, or levels were not significantly higher than those following control buffer injection. Lower rates of replication of DWV and BQCV in Africanized bees shows that they may have greater viral resistance, at least early after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernesto Guzman-Novoa
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Paul H Goodwin
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Mariana Reyes-Quintana
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia en Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, D.F. 04960, Mexico
| | - Gun Koleoglu
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Adriana Correa-Benítez
- Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia en Abejas, FMVZ, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, D.F. 04960, Mexico
| | - Tatiana Petukhova
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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