Beekeepers urged to rethink fears around deadly virus
Researchers at the University of
Sydney have found that the relationship between the tissue-sucking Varroa mite
and virulence of a virus of honey bees, has most likely been misunderstood.
The study challenges the long-held belief that the parasitic Varroa mite
-- a mite that sucks the tissue of honey bees -- transmits the Deformed Wing
Virus of honeybees and in doing so changes the virus to make it more virulent
and deadly.
Research published today in Proceedings of The Royal Society B:
Biological Sciences concludes that this belief is incorrect.
"The prevailing wisdom is that the mite selects for very virulent
strains of the virus," said Professor Madeleine Beekman from the School of
Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney.
"For that reason, the virus is now known as a very dangerous virus
and the Australian beekeepers are adamant this virus should not get into the
country. In fact, there is legislation that prevents the import of any bee
products that could contain the virus. But our work shows that the virus is
more likely to be an innocent bystander."
Australia is the only country in the world to remain free of the Varroa mite.
This makes Australian honey and wax valuable because it is free of chemical
residues used to eliminate the parasite.
"Australia is the last country on the planet to produce completely
pure honey," says Professor Beekman. "But the mite is highly likely
to arrive in Australia on shipping containers so we need to understand how the
mite and the virus interact."
Professor Beekman and her team in the Behaviour and Genetics of Social
Insects Lab injected honey bee pupae with high levels of Deformed Wing Virus
which is carried by the mite to test if the virus was highly virulent due to
changes in the transmission route that occurred via the Varroa mite.
The team found the transmission route used by the Varroa mite
selects against viruses that are much more virulent than the Deformed Wing
Virus, such as Sacbrood virus and Black queen cell virus. These viruses
normally suppress Deformed Wing Virus. The elimination of Sacbrood and Black
Queencell virus leaves just Deformed Wing Virus, which does not kill the bees.
"Our work therefore changes our understanding of the
effect Varroa has
on Deformed Wing Virus and the health of honey bee colonies
"It means we don't have to be scared of the virus. Instead
we need to focus on eliminating the mite and reducing its numbers."
The results will also have an impact on the ways the Australian
beekeepers can prepare themselves for the arrival of Varroa.
"But the importation of the sperm is
currently forbidden because of the threat of Deformed Wing Virus, which can be
present in bee sperm. Perhaps beekeepers can now convince the authorities that
bee sperm is safe."
"If we want to protect the bees, it now no
longer seems to make sense to try to combat the virus”.
"Instead, there needs to be a
renewed focus on ensuring the number of mites in honey bee colonies remain
low."
To discuss and to
share various research’s on Virus
interactions, Insect vector and virus epidemiology
Bacteriology We cordially invite you all to take part in Virology and Microbiology 2019
See More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190129195223.htm
Source: University of Sydney
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