Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a honeybee pathogen whose presence is generally associated with infestation of the colony by the mite Varroa destructor, leading to the onset of infections responsible for the collapse of the bee colony. DWV contaminates bee products such as royal jelly, bee-bread and honey stored within the infected hive. Outside the hive, DWV has been found in pollen loads collected directly from infected as well as uninfected forager bees. It has been shown that the introduction of virus-contaminated pollen into a DWV-free hive results in the production of virus-contaminated food, whose role in the development of infected bees from virus-free eggs has been experimentally demonstrated. The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to ascertain the presence of DWV on pollen collected directly from flowers visited by honeybees and then quantify the viral load and (ii) determine whether the virus associated with pollen is infective. The results of our investigation provide evidence that DWV is present on pollen sampled directly from visited flowers and that, following injection in individuals belonging to the pollinator species Apis mellifera, it is able to establish an active infection, as indicated by the presence of replicating virus in the head of the injected bees. We also provide the first indication that the pollinator species Osmia cornuta is susceptible to DWV infection.
Highlights
Honeybee viruses are pathogens which heavily contribute to the colony losses [1]
Pollen loads were collected from foragers during their visit on magnolia and ivy flowers while the sunflower pollen load was obtained by brushing the foragers captured during their visit onto the sunflower flower-head
In this paper we provide quantitative evidence of Deformed Wing Virus association with pollen collected from flowers visited by forager bees and we show that the virus associated with flower pollen is infective
Summary
Honeybee viruses are pathogens which heavily contribute to the colony losses [1]. One of the most prevalent honeybee viruses is the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) whose presence is generally related to infestation of the colony by the mite VarroaPLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0113448 November 24, 2014Infectivity of DWV Associated to Flower Pollen destructor [2]. Honeybee viruses are pathogens which heavily contribute to the colony losses [1]. One of the most prevalent honeybee viruses is the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) whose presence is generally related to infestation of the colony by the mite Varroa. DWV isolates from different parts of the world share 98 to 99% sequence identity [5, 6], consistent with the suggested recent global spread of the virus and a still limited evolutionary divergence [5]. The recent introduction of Varroa to Hawaii was followed by an increase in DWV infections and a decrease in DWV diversity suggesting selection for vectoring by Varroa as an additional factor contributing to the limited genetic variability so far observed among DWV isolates [7]
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