Abstract
BackgroundHoney bee population decline threatens the beekeeping sector, agriculture and global biodiversity. Early detection of colony mortality may facilitate rapid interventions to contain and prevent mortality spread. Among others, deformed wing virus (DWV) is capable of inducing colony losses, especially when combined with Varroa destructor mite. Since the bee immune system plays a crucial role in ensuring that bees are able to face these pathogens, we explored whether expression of immune genes could serve as biomarkers of colony health.ResultsHerein, we describe a preliminary immunological marker composed of two immune genes (relish and defensin), which provide insight on honey bee antiviral defense mechanism. Of the tested genes, relish expression correlated with the presence of DWV-Varroa complex, while decreased defensin expression correlated with poor resistance to this complex.ConclusionsThe monitoring of these genes may help us to better understand the complex physiology of honey bees’s immune system and to develop new approaches for managing the health impacts of DWV infection and varroa infestation in the field.
Highlights
Honey bee population decline threatens the beekeeping sector, agriculture and global biodiversity
Several pathogens and parasites have been associated with honey bee colony losses, especially the Varroa destructor mite and deformed wing virus (DWV), which have been described as predictive markers of winter losses [12, 13]
In seven honey bee colonies in one apiary in Spain, we examined possible correlation of Varroa destructor and DWV load with expression of four A. mellifera genes involved in honey bee immunity and colony health status for ten months
Summary
Honey bee population decline threatens the beekeeping sector, agriculture and global biodiversity. The western honey bee Apis mellifera plays a critical role in pollination of important crops, but high annual losses in the US [1, 2] and over-wintering colony losses in Europe have had significant negative consequences on the environment and economy [3] Both of these depopulation processes are poorly understood and are thought to be caused by multiple factors, such as high levels of pathogens, parasites, environmental pollutants, nutritional stress, inadequate beekeeping management and climate change [4, 5]. Several pathogens and parasites have been associated with honey bee colony losses, especially the Varroa destructor mite and deformed wing virus (DWV), which have been described as predictive markers of winter losses [12, 13]. The mite may even drive selection for more pathogenic variants of DWV, increasing the likelihood of colony collapse [17,18,19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
