Molecular detection of honeybee viruses in Ecuador

BRAVI ME; AVALOS J.; ROSERO H.; MALDONADO G.; REYNALDI FJ.; GENCHI GARCÍA ML.

Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research

Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria

Lugar: Barcelona; Año: 2020

The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is one of the most important pollinators in the world. Apicultural activity and pollination services have been affected by the decline in the honeybee population, which may be due to the interaction of multiple risk factors, such as changes in agricultural production, use of pesticides and presence of pathogens. Viruses, in particular, are suspected to be drivers of colony mortality. In this scenario, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of six honeybee viruses (IAPV, DWV, SBV, ABPV, BQCV, CBPV) using a RT-mPCR assay. Samples were collected in seventeen apiaries of Pichincha, Ecuador that exhibited mortality but without specific clinical signs. Four of the viruses ? ABPV, DWV, BQCV and SBV? were found in co-infections in these colonies, with ABPV and SBV also being found in simple infections. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular detection of BQCV and SBV in Ecuador. These findings suggest that some of the above viruses could be involved in weakening these colonies