RNA virus spillover from managed honeybees (Apis mellifera) to wild bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

PLoS One. 2019 Jun 26;14(6):e0217822. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217822. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The decline of many bumblebee species (Bombus spp.) has been linked to an increased prevalence of pathogens caused by spillover from managed bees. Although poorly understood, RNA viruses are suspected of moving from managed honeybees (Apis mellifera) into wild bumblebees through shared floral resources. We examined if RNA viruses spillover from managed honeybees, the extent to which viruses are replicating within bumblebees, and the role of flowers in transmission. Prevalence and active infections of deformed wing virus (DWV) were higher in bumblebees collected near apiaries and when neighboring honeybees had high infection levels. We found no DWV in bumblebees where honeybee foragers and honeybee apiaries were absent. The prevalence of black queen cell virus (BQCV) was also higher in bumblebees collected near apiaries. Furthermore, we detected viruses on 19% of flowers, all of which were collected within apiaries. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that viruses are spilling over from managed honeybees to wild bumblebees and that flowers may be an important route for transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / virology*
  • Animals, Wild / virology*
  • Beekeeping*
  • Bees / virology*
  • RNA Viruses / pathogenicity*
  • RNA Viruses / physiology
  • Virus Replication

Grants and funding

Funding was provided by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to SAA (DGE-1451866) (https://www.nsfgrfp.org/), the Centennial Pollinator Fellowship of the Garden Club of America to SAA (https://pollinator.org/gca-fellowship), the Sophie Danforth Conservation Biology Fund of the Roger Williams Park Zoo to SAA (https://www.rwpzoo.org/dansforth-conservation-grants), the Roberto Fabri Fiahlo Research Award (https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/media/Roberto_Fabri_Fialho_Award.pdf) and the Ronald Suiter Travel Prize of the University of Vermont (https://www.uvm.edu/cas/travel_funding_ronald_suiter_prize) to SAA, and the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History (https://www.amnh.org/our-research/richard-gilder-graduate-school/academics-and-research/fellowship-and-grant-opportunities/research-grants-and-student-exchange-fellowships/the-theodore-roosevelt-memorial-fund) to SAA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.