Abstract
Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators insects involved in the maintenance of natural ecosystems and food production. Bombus pauloensis is a widely distributed species in South America, that recently began to be managed and commercialized in this region. The movement of colonies within or between countries may favor the dissemination of parasites and pathogens, putting into risk while populations of B. pauloensis and other native species. In this study, wild B. pauloensis queens and workers, and laboratory reared workers were screened for the presence of phoretic mites, internal parasites (microsporidia, protists, nematodes and parasitoids) and RNA viruses (Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Acute paralysis virus (ABCV) and Sacbrood virus (SBV)). Bumble bee queens showed the highest number of mite species, and it was the only group where Conopidae and S. bombi were detected. In the case of microsporidia, a higher prevalence of N. ceranae was detected in field workers. Finally, the bumble bees presented the four RNA viruses studied for A. mellifera, in proportions similar to those previously reported in this species. Those results highlight the risks of spillover among the different species of pollinators.
Highlights
Wild and managed pollinators are essential for agricultural production, maintenance of biodiversity and the sustainability of natural ecosystems [1,2,3]
During the spring (September 2014), 73 queens of B. pauloensis were collected while foraging in the Faculty of Agronomy, University of the Republic, Montevideo (34 ̊ 50’ S, 56 ̊ 13’ W) after finishing their hibernation period
Multiple parasites and pathogens were identified on bumble bees, including the mites T. putrescentiae, P. longanalis, P. longipilus, Kuzinia sp. and Parasitellus fucorum, the microsporidia N. ceranae and T. pampeana, a diptera of Conopidae family, the nematode S. bombi, and the RNA viruses BQCV, ABPV, SBV and DWV
Summary
Wild and managed pollinators are essential for agricultural production, maintenance of biodiversity and the sustainability of natural ecosystems [1,2,3]. They are threatened by different factors including intensification of land use, intoxication with pesticides or infection by multiple pest and pathogens, among others [2]. Parasites and RNA viruses in wild and laboratory reared bumble bees in Uruguay
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