Viruses that affect Argentinian honey bees (Apis mellifera)

SALINA, MARCOS D.; GARCIA, MARÍA L. GENCHI; BAIS, BÁRBARA; BRAVI, MARIA E.; BRASESCO, CONSTANZA; MAGGI, MATÍAS; PECORARO, MARCELO; LARSEN, ALEJANDRA; SGUAZZA, HERNAN G.; REYNALDI, FRANCISCO J.

ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY

SPRINGER WIEN

Año: 2021

0304-8608

Beekeeping is a widespread activity in Argentina, mainly producing honey that has gained both national and international recognition.There are more than 3,000,000 hives in the country, mainly concentrated in Buenos Aires Province (approximately1,000,000 hives). In recent decades, worrying rates of hive loss have been observed in many countries around the world. InLatin America, the estimated loss of hives is between 13% (Peru and Ecuador) and 53% (Chile). Argentina had annual lossesof 34% for the period of October 1, 2016 to October 1, 2017. The causes of these losses are not clear but probably involvemultiple stressors that can act simultaneously. One of the main causes of loss of bee colonies worldwide is infestation by theectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in combination with viral infections. To date, 10 viruses have been detected that affecthoney bees (Apis mellifera) in Argentina. Of these, deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus, acute bee paralysis virus, chronicbee paralysis virus, and Israeli acute bee paralysis can be transmitted by mites. Deformed wing virus and the AIK complex arethe viruses most often associated with loss of hives worldwide. Considering that bee viruses have been detected in Argentinain several hymenopteran and non-hymenopteran insects, these hosts could act as important natural reservoirs for virusesand play an important role in their dispersal in the environment. Further studies to investigate the different mechanisms bywhich viruses spread in the environment will enable us to develop various strategies for the control of infected colonies andthe spread of viruses in the habitat where they are found.