Viral diseases of honey bees are a major problem for apiculture, causing serious economic losses worldwide, especially in combination with varroa mites. The biology of bee viral diseases, their relationship with varroa, and their transmission among bees are poorly understood. This study provides direct evidence for viral transmission among bees and varroa mites. Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and sacbrood virus (SBV) RNAs were detected in both the queens and eggs by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which indicated a route of transovarial transmission. Horizontal transmission of both viruses may occur from adult workers to larvae via brood food, since both viral RNAs were detected in all food sources (larval food, honey, pollen, and royal jelly) by RT-PCR. To assess the possibility that varroa can vector the viruses, we examined the presence of both viruses in mites and mite saliva by RT-PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The viral RNAs were detected in mixed and single mites by RT-PCR. By ELISA, KBV capsid proteins were detected both in mites and mite saliva. Bee pupae naturally infested or artificially introduced with mites had significantly higher KBV RNA levels than pupae without mites, suggesting that varroa may activate bee viruses. Our experiments demonstrated that KBV and SBV could coinfect bees and be simultaneously detected in varroa.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (honey bee)
Species 2: Acari Varroidae Varroa destructor
Keywords: honey bee viruses
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