Distribution of RNA-containing bee viruses in honey bee (Apis mellifera) in several regions of Russia

Abstract

In several regions of Russia, broad distribution of RNA-containing bee viruses is found at apiaries of honey bee Apis mellifera using RT-PCR. Detected RNA-containing bee viruses are transferred simultaneously with invasion of mite Varroa destructor and lead to mass bee mortality that results in economic losses in bee breeding. In samples of Varroa destructor, bee viruses DWV and ABPV are found. A high degree of RNA-containing virus (BQCV, DWV SBV, ABPV, CBPV, and KBV) infection is revealed: on average, at least 50% for bee families with mite infection. In the bee families studied in this work, mixed infection with two to six viruses simultaneously is detected. The amplified fragments of viruses BQCV, DWV, and SBV obtained using RT-PCR are sequenced and registered in GenBank.