While numerous honey bee viruses are known to exist, their epidemiology is poorly understood. We investigated the role of Varroa in the transmission of Kashmir bee virus (KBV) in honey bee colonies. Virus-infected colonies contained virus-infected mites, whereas no virus could be detected in mites from virus-free colonies. To investigate the vectoring capability of Varroa, we collected live mites from the virus-infected colonies and experimentally inserted one, two, three or four of these mites into the sealed cells of individual bee brood from the virus-free colonies. We found a direct relationship between virus frequency and the number of mites to which recipient bees were exposed. This was most evident in bees exposed to four mites, which resulted in 100% infection. Following the experiment, it was apparent that virus frequency in mites was directly correlated with the number of mites per cell. Thus, not only did mites transmit viruses to their bee hosts, we have shown evidence of horizontal mite-to-mite transmission of viruses, presumably via a honey bee intermediary. Mites emerging from multiply-infested cells could therefore play a disproportionate role in the spread of viruses within the colony
Species 1: Acari Varroidae Varroa destructor
Species 2: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (honey bee)
Keywords: Kashmir virus
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