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Bartlett LJ, Baker C, Bruckner S, Delaplane KS, Hackmeyer EJ, Phankaew C, Williams GR, Berry JA. No evidence to support the use of glycerol-oxalic acid mixtures delivered via paper towel for controlling Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) mites in the Southeast United States. J Insect Sci 2023; 23:18. [PMID: 38055939 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
A significant amount of researcher and practitioner effort has focused on developing new chemical controls for the parasitic Varroa destructor mite in beekeeping. One outcome of that has been the development and testing of "glycerol-oxalic acid" mixtures to place in colonies for extended periods of time, an off-label use of the otherwise legal miticide oxalic acid. The majority of circulated work on this approach was led by practitioners and published in nonacademic journals, highlighting a lack of effective partnership between practitioners and scientists and a possible failure of the extension mandate in beekeeping in the United States. Here, we summarize the practitioner-led studies we could locate and partner with a commercial beekeeper in the Southeast of the United States to test the "shop towel-oxalic acid-glycerol" delivery system developed by those practitioners. Our study, using 129 commercial colonies between honey flows in 2017 split into 4 treatment groups, showed no effectiveness in reducing Varroa parasitism in colonies exposed to oxalic acid-glycerol shop towels. We highlight the discrepancy between our results and those circulated by practitioners, at least for the Southeast, and the failure of extension to support practitioners engaged in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis J Bartlett
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Christian Baker
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Selina Bruckner
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Keith S Delaplane
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ethan J Hackmeyer
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Chama Phankaew
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Chatuchuk, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Geoffrey R Williams
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Jennifer A Berry
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Woodford L, Steketee PC, Evans DJ. Doomed drones? Using passage experiments and mathematical modelling to determine Deformed wing virus population dynamics in male honeybees. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231010. [PMID: 37339741 PMCID: PMC10281807 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite of honeybees which vectors a range of pathogenic viruses, the most notable being Deformed wing virus (DWV). Mites parasitise bees during pupal development and male honeybees, drones, have a longer development cycle than female workers (24 versus 21 days), allow for more progeny mites to develop per foundress (1.6-2.5 compared to 0.7-1.45). How this longer exposure time influences evolution of the transmitted virus population is unknown. Using uniquely tagged viruses recovered from cDNA we investigated the replication, competition and morbidity of DWV genotypes in drones. Assays examining virus replication and morbidity revealed drones are highly susceptible to both predominant genotypes of DWV. In virus passage studies using an equimolar inocula of major DNA genotypes and their recombinants, the recombinant form dominated but did not reach 100% of the virus population within 10 passages. Using an in-silico model of the virus-mite-bee system we examined bottlenecks during virus acquisition by the mite and subsequent injection of viruses into the host, which may play a significant role in shaping virus diversity. This study furthers our understanding of the variables influencing DWV diversity changes and provides insight into areas of future research in the mite-virus-bee system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Woodford
- Department of Biology, University of St. Andrews, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, St. Andrews, None KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Pieter C. Steketee
- The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - David J. Evans
- Department of Biology, University of St. Andrews, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, St. Andrews, None KY16 9ST, UK
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Hasegawa N, Techer MA, Adjlane N, Al-Hissnawi MS, Antúnez K, Beaurepaire A, Christmon K, Delatte H, Dukku UH, Eliash N, El-Niweiri MAA, Esnault O, Evans JD, Haddad NJ, Locke B, Muñoz I, Noël G, Panziera D, Roberts JMK, De la Rúa P, Shebl MA, Stanimirovic Z, Rasmussen DA, Mikheyev AS. Evolutionarily diverse origins of deformed wing viruses in western honey bees. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301258120. [PMID: 37339224 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301258120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel transmission routes can allow infectious diseases to spread, often with devastating consequences. Ectoparasitic varroa mites vector a diversity of RNA viruses, having switched hosts from the eastern to western honey bees (Apis cerana to Apis mellifera). They provide an opportunity to explore how novel transmission routes shape disease epidemiology. As the principal driver of the spread of deformed wing viruses (mainly DWV-A and DWV-B), varroa infestation has also driven global honey bee health declines. The more virulent DWV-B strain has been replacing the original DWV-A strain in many regions over the past two decades. Yet, how these viruses originated and spread remains poorly understood. Here, we use a phylogeographic analysis based on whole-genome data to reconstruct the origins and demography of DWV spread. We found that, rather than reemerging in western honey bees after varroa switched hosts, as suggested by previous work, DWV-A most likely originated in East Asia and spread in the mid-20th century. It also showed a massive population size expansion following the varroa host switch. By contrast, DWV-B was most likely acquired more recently from a source outside East Asia and appears absent from the original varroa host. These results highlight the dynamic nature of viral adaptation, whereby a vector's host switch can give rise to competing and increasingly virulent disease pandemics. The evolutionary novelty and rapid global spread of these host-virus interactions, together with observed spillover into other species, illustrate how increasing globalization poses urgent threats to biodiversity and food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonno Hasegawa
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Maeva A Techer
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77483
- Behavioral Plasticity Research Institute, NSF-BII, College Station, TX 77483
| | - Noureddine Adjlane
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science, University M'hamed Bougara, Boumerdes 35000, Algeria
| | | | - Karina Antúnez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alexis Beaurepaire
- Swiss Bee Research Center, Agroscope, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Bee Health, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Krisztina Christmon
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Bee Research Lab, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Helene Delatte
- Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement, UMR Unité Mixte de Recherche Peuplements Végétaux et Bioagresseurs en Milieu Tropical, F-97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion, France
| | - Usman H Dukku
- Department of Biological Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi 740211, Nigeria
| | - Nurit Eliash
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
- Shamir Research Institute, Haifa University, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Mogbel A A El-Niweiri
- Department of Bee Research, Environment, Natural Resources and Desertification Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Olivier Esnault
- Groupement de Défense Sanitaire, Réunion, La plaine des Cafres 97418, La Réunion, France
| | - Jay D Evans
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Bee Research Lab, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - Nizar J Haddad
- Bee Research Department, National Agricultural Research Center, 19381 Baqa', Jordan
| | - Barbara Locke
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irene Muñoz
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Grégoire Noël
- Functional and Evolutionary Entomology, TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Delphine Panziera
- Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - John M K Roberts
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Pilar De la Rúa
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Mohamed A Shebl
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - David A Rasmussen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Alexander S Mikheyev
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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Hou C, Liang H, Chen C, Zhao H, Zhao P, Deng S, Li B, Yang D, Yang S, Wilfert L. Lake Sinai virus is a diverse, globally distributed but not emerging multi-strain honeybee virus. Mol Ecol 2023. [PMID: 37194687 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Domesticated honeybees and wild bees are some of the most important beneficial insects for human and environmental health, but infectious diseases pose a serious risk to these pollinators, particularly following the emergence of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor as a viral vector. The acquisition of this novel viral vector from the Asian honeybee Apis ceranae has fundamentally changed viral epidemiology in its new host, the western honeybee A. mellifera. While the recently discovered Lake Sinai Viruses (LSV) have been associated with weak honeybee colonies, they have not been associated with vector-borne transmission. By combining a large-scale multi-year survey of LSV in Chinese A. mellifera and A. cerana honeybee colonies with globally available LSV-sequence data, we investigate the global epidemiology of this virus. We find that globally distributed LSV is a highly diverse multi-strain virus, which is predominantly associated with the western honeybee A. mellifera. In contrast to the vector-borne deformed wing virus, LSV is not an emerging disease. Instead, demographic reconstruction and strong global and local population structure indicates that it is a highly variable multi-strain virus in a stable association with its main host, the western honeybee. Prevalence patterns in China suggest a potential role for migratory beekeeping in the spread of this pathogen, demonstrating the potential for disease transmission with the man-made transport of beneficial insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunsheng Hou
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Bast Fiber Crops and Center of Southern Economic Crops, Changsha, China
| | - Hao Liang
- Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, National Engineering Research Center for Vegetables (Institute of Vegetable Science), Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (North China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Chenxiao Chen
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Bast Fiber Crops and Center of Southern Economic Crops, Changsha, China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- 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, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Forestry Research Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Shuai Deng
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Apicultural Research, Beijing, China
| | - Beibei Li
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Apicultural Research, Beijing, China
| | - Dahe Yang
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Apicultural Research, Beijing, China
| | - Sa Yang
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Institute of Apicultural Research, Beijing, China
| | - Lena Wilfert
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Bilodeau L, Beaman L. Differential Expression of Three Dopamine Receptors in Varroa-Resistant Honey Bees. J Insect Sci 2022; 22:9. [PMID: 35066590 PMCID: PMC8784087 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Various stocks of honey bees (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) employ multiple mechanisms to control varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Mesostigmata: Varroidae)) infestations. Identification of trait-associated genes and markers can improve efficiency of selective breeding. Dopamine receptors show promise in this regard in their association with numerous traits in honey bees, high plasticity, and indicated association with varroa resistance through QTL analysis. We assessed the relationship between exposure to mite-infested brood and gene expression of the honey bee dopamine receptors, Amdop1, Amdop2, and Amdop3, in bees and stocks with known levels of varroa resistance, in Spring 2016 (VSH vs Italian) and Summer 2019 (Pol-line vs Italian). Relative mRNA expression levels varied both by honey bee stock and before/after exposure to varroa-infested brood, in 7-, 10-, and 14-day-old bees. However, the trials revealed contrasting patterns in expression of the three dopamine receptors. In 2016, downregulation was evident in VSH bees, but varied by days post-emergence and by gene. The 2019 trial showed upregulation post-exposure in both stocks, and at all ages, for Amdop1, Amdop2, and Amdop3, with the exception of 14 d Italian bees for Amdop2 and Amdop3. Stock comparison in 2019 showed upregulation of all three dopamine-like receptors in post-exposure bees of all ages. Season and associated differences in mite loads may have contributed to the differences observed across trials. Differential expression of all three dopamine receptors suggests a role for the dopaminergic system in varroa resistance and suggests that further characterization of these receptors for breeding potential is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lelania Bilodeau
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Lorraine Beaman
- USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
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Berry JA, Bartlett LJ, Bruckner S, Baker C, Braman SK, Delaplane KS, Williams GR. Assessing Repeated Oxalic Acid Vaporization in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies for Control of the Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor. J Insect Sci 2022; 22:15. [PMID: 35137130 PMCID: PMC8825467 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The American beekeeping industry continually experiences colony mortality with annual losses as high as 43%. A leading cause of this is the exotic, ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Mesostigmata: Varroidae). Integrated Pest Management (IPM) options are used to keep mite populations from reaching lethal levels, however, due to resistance and/or the lack of suitable treatment options, novel controls for reducing mites are warranted. Oxalic acid for controlling V. destructor has become a popular treatment regimen among commercial and backyard beekeepers. Applying vaporized oxalic acid inside a honey bee hive is a legal application method in the U.S., and results in the death of exposed mites. However, if mites are in the reproductive stage and therefore under the protective wax capping, oxalic acid is ineffective. One popular method of applying oxalic is vaporizing multiple times over several weeks to try and circumvent the problem of mites hiding in brood cells. By comparing against control colonies, we tested oxalic acid vaporization in colonies treated with seven applications separated by 5 d (35 d total). We tested in apiaries in Georgia and Alabama during 2019 and 2020, totaling 99 colonies. We found that adult honey bees Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and developing brood experienced no adverse impacts from the oxalic vaporization regime. However, we did not find evidence that frequent periodic application of oxalic during brood-rearing periods is capable of bringing V. destructor populations below treatment thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Berry
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Lewis J Bartlett
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Selina Bruckner
- Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Christian Baker
- Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - S Kris Braman
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Keith S Delaplane
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Weaver DB, Cantarel BL, Elsik CG, Boncristiani DL, Evans JD. Multi-tiered analyses of honey bees that resist or succumb to parasitic mites and viruses. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:720. [PMID: 34610790 PMCID: PMC8493683 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08032-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Varroa destructor mites, and the numerous viruses they vector to their honey bee hosts, are among the most serious threats to honey bee populations, causing mortality and morbidity to both the individual honey bee and colony, the negative effects of which convey to the pollination services provided by honey bees worldwide. Here we use a combination of targeted assays and deep RNA sequencing to determine host and microbial changes in resistant and susceptible honey bee lineages. We focus on three study sets. The first involves field sampling of sympatric western bees, some derived from resistant stock and some from stock susceptible to mites. The second experiment contrasts three colonies more deeply, two from susceptible stock from the southeastern U.S. and one from mite-resistant bee stock from Eastern Texas. Finally, to decouple the effects of mites from those of the viruses they vector, we experimentally expose honey bees to DWV in the laboratory, measuring viral growth and host responses. Results We find strong differences between resistant and susceptible bees in terms of both viral loads and bee gene expression. Interestingly, lineages of bees with naturally low levels of the mite-vectored Deformed wing virus, also carried lower levels of viruses not vectored by mites. By mapping gene expression results against current ontologies and other studies, we describe the impacts of mite parasitism, as well as viruses on bee health against two genetic backgrounds. We identify numerous genes and processes seen in other studies of stress and disease in honey bee colonies, alongside novel genes and new patterns of expression. Conclusions We provide evidence that honey bees surviving in the face of parasitic mites do so through their abilities to resist the presence of devastating viruses vectored by these mites. In all cases, the most divergence between stocks was seen when bees were exposed to live mites or viruses, suggesting that gene activation, rather than constitutive expression, is key for these interactions. By revealing responses to viral infection and mite parasitism in different lineages, our data identify candidate proteins for the evolution of mite tolerance and virus resistance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08032-z.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandi L Cantarel
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Christine G Elsik
- University of Missouri, Division of Animal Sciences, Division of Plant Sciences & Technology, and Institute for Data Science and Informatics, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA.
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Mondet F, Parejo M, Meixner MD, Costa C, Kryger P, Andonov S, Servin B, Basso B, Bieńkowska M, Bigio G, Căuia E, Cebotari V, Dahle B, Dražić MM, Hatjina F, Kovačić M, Kretavicius J, Lima AS, Panasiuk B, Pinto MA, Uzunov A, Wilde J, Büchler R. Evaluation of Suppressed Mite Reproduction (SMR) Reveals Potential for Varroa Resistance in European Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera L.). Insects 2020; 11:E595. [PMID: 32899430 DOI: 10.3390/insects11090595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The mite Varroa destructor represents a great threat to honey bees and the beekeeping industry. The opportunity to select and breed honey bees that are naturally able to fight the mite stands a sustainable solution. This can be achieved by evaluation of the failure of mite reproduction (SMR, suppressed mite reproduction). We conducted a large European experiment to assess the SMR trait in different populations of honey bees spread over 13 different countries, and representing different honey bee populations. The first goal was to standardize and validate the SMR evaluation method, and then to compare the SMR trait between the different populations. Our results indicate that it is necessary to examine at least 35 brood cells infested by a single mite to reliably estimate the SMR score of any given colony. Several colonies from our dataset display high SMR scores, indicating that this trait is present within the European honey bee populations. No major differences could be identified between countries for a given population, or between populations in different countries. This study shows the potential to increase selection efforts to breed V. destructor honey bee resistant populations. Abstract In the fight against the Varroa destructor mite, selective breeding of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations that are resistant to the parasitic mite stands as a sustainable solution. Selection initiatives indicate that using the suppressed mite reproduction (SMR) trait as a selection criterion is a suitable tool to breed such resistant bee populations. We conducted a large European experiment to evaluate the SMR trait in different populations of honey bees spread over 13 different countries, and representing different honey bee genotypes with their local mite parasites. The first goal was to standardize and validate the SMR evaluation method, and then to compare the SMR trait between the different populations. Simulation results indicate that it is necessary to examine at least 35 single-infested cells to reliably estimate the SMR score of any given colony. Several colonies from our dataset display high SMR scores indicating that this trait is present within the European honey bee populations. The trait is highly variable between colonies and some countries, but no major differences could be identified between countries for a given genotype, or between genotypes in different countries. This study shows the potential to increase selective breeding efforts of V. destructor resistant populations.
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9
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Traynor KS, Mondet F, de Miranda JR, Techer M, Kowallik V, Oddie MAY, Chantawannakul P, McAfee A. Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey Bees Worldwide. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:592-606. [PMID: 32456963 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has shaken the beekeeping and pollination industries since its spread from its native host, the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), to the naïve European honey bee (Apis mellifera) used commercially for pollination and honey production around the globe. Varroa is the greatest threat to honey bee health. Worrying observations include increasing acaricide resistance in the varroa population and sinking economic treatment thresholds, suggesting that the mites or their vectored viruses are becoming more virulent. Highly infested weak colonies facilitate mite dispersal and disease transmission to stronger and healthier colonies. Here, we review recent developments in the biology, pathology, and management of varroa, and integrate older knowledge that is less well known.
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Borries FA, Kudla AM, Kim S, Allston TD, Eddingsaas NC, Shey J, Orts WJ, Klamczynski AP, Glenn GM, Miri MJ. Ketalization of 2-heptanone to prolong its activity as mite repellant for the protection of honey bees. J Sci Food Agric 2019; 99:6267-6277. [PMID: 31259414 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 2-Heptanone is a volatile liquid known to be effective in protecting honey bees from parasitic mite infestations in hives. The present study aimed to show that chemical derivatives of 2-heptanone would release the ketone for a significantly longer time than it takes for the pure ketone to evaporate and preferably for as long as two brood cycles of a honey bee (42 days). RESULTS A liquid ketal of 2-heptanone with glycerol (Glyc-Ket) and solid ketals of the ketone with polyvinyl alcohol (PVAl-Ket), containing different amounts of the ketone, were synthesized. The fully resolved 1 H and 13 C nuclear magenetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the ketals are discussed. In the case of the polymer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of a ketal was also compared with the unketalized polyvinyl alcohol. The length of time for which 2-heptanone was released by the ketals was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the headspace. In the case of Glyc-Ket, the concentration of the 2-heptanone in the liquid phase was also monitored by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The deketalization was pH dependent, ranging between 2.0 and 2.5 for Glyc-Ket and between 2.0 and 3.5 for PVAl-Ket. CONCLUSION Under bee hive conditions, the release of 55 mmol 2-heptanone from Glyc-Ket lasted for 42 days, whereas the release of the ketone from the PVAl-Ket with a similar amount of the ketone lasted for 23 days, versus a maximum of 17 days for an equivalent amount of the pure ketone. These ketals therefore have the potential to be effective mite repellants for the protection of honey bees. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic A Borries
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Amber M Kudla
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Seohyun Kim
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas D Allston
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Nathan C Eddingsaas
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Justin Shey
- Western Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, USA
| | - William J Orts
- Western Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Artur P Klamczynski
- Western Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Gregory M Glenn
- Western Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, USA
| | - Massoud J Miri
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
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Alburaki M, Chen D, Skinner JA, Meikle WG, Tarpy DR, Adamczyk J, Stewart SD. Honey Bee Survival and Pathogen Prevalence: From the Perspective of Landscape and Exposure to Pesticides. Insects 2018; 9:insects9020065. [PMID: 29899302 PMCID: PMC6023357 DOI: 10.3390/insects9020065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In order to study the in situ effects of the agricultural landscape and exposure to pesticides on honey bee health, sixteen honey bee colonies were placed in four different agricultural landscapes. Those landscapes were three agricultural areas with varying levels of agricultural intensity (AG areas) and one non-agricultural area (NAG area). Colonies were monitored for different pathogen prevalence and pesticide residues over a period of one year. RT-qPCR was used to study the prevalence of seven different honey bee viruses as well as Nosema sp. in colonies located in different agricultural systems with various intensities of soybean, corn, sorghum, and cotton production. Populations of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor were also extensively monitored. Comprehensive MS-LC pesticide residue analyses were performed on samples of wax, honey, foragers, winter bees, dead bees, and crop flowers for each apiary and location. A significantly higher level of varroa loads were recorded in colonies of the AG areas, but this at least partly correlated with increased colony size and did not necessarily result from exposure to pesticides. Infections of two viruses (deformed wing virus genotype a (DWVa) and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV)) and Nosema sp. varied among the four studied locations. The urban location significantly elevated colony pathogen loads, while AG locations significantly benefited and increased the colony weight gain. Cotton and sorghum flowers contained high concentrations of insecticide including neonicotinoids, while soybean and corn had less pesticide residues. Several events of pesticide toxicity were recorded in the AG areas, and high concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticides were detected in dead bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Alburaki
- West Tennessee Research and Education Center, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Jackson, TN 38301, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
| | - Deniz Chen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613, USA.
| | - John A Skinner
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
| | - William G Meikle
- USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA.
| | - David R Tarpy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613, USA.
| | - John Adamczyk
- USDA-ARS-Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory, Poplarville, MS 39470, USA.
| | - Scott D Stewart
- West Tennessee Research and Education Center, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee, Jackson, TN 38301, USA.
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