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Bacteria detected in the honeybee parasitic mite Varroa destructor collected from beehive winter debris
Aims:
The winter beehive debris containing bodies of honeybee parasitic mite Varroa destructor is used for veterinary diagnostics. The Varroa sucking honeybee haemolymph serves as a reservoir of pathogens including bacteria. Worker bees can pick up pathogens from the debris during cleaning activities and spread the infection to healthy bees within the colony. The aim of this study was to detect entomopathogenic bacteria in the Varroa collected from the winter beehive debris.
Methods And Results:
Culture-independent approach was used to analyse the mite-associated bacterial community. Total DNA was extracted from the samples of 10 Varroa female individuals sampled from 27 different sites in Czechia. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified using universal bacterial primers, cloned and sequenced, resulting in a set of 596 sequences representing 29 operational taxonomic units (OTU97). To confirm the presence of bacteria in Varroa, histological sections of the mites were observed. Undetermined bacteria were observed in the mite gut and fat tissue.
Conclusion:
Morganella sp. was the most frequently detected taxon, followed by Enterococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Rahnella sp., Erwinia sp., and Arsenophonus sp. The honeybee putative pathogen Spiroplasma sp. was detected at one site and Bartonella-like bacteria were found at four sites. PCR-based analysis using genus-specific primers enabled detection of the following taxa: Enterococcus, Bartonella-like bacteria, Arsenophonus and Spiroplasma.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
We found potentially pathogenic (Spiroplasma) and parasitic bacteria (Arsenophonus) in mites from winter beehive debris. The mites can be reservoirs of the pathogenic bacteria in the apicultures.
Insights
Varroa mites in winter beehive debris harbor potentially pathogenic bacteria like Spiroplasma and parasitic bacteria such as Arsenophonus. These mites act as reservoirs, posing a risk to honeybee colony health and apiculture.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary diagnostics
- Apiculture
- Microbiology
Background:
- Varroa destructor mites infest honeybees, feeding on hemolymph and potentially transmitting pathogens.
- Winter beehive debris containing mites can serve as a source of infection for healthy bees.
- Understanding the bacterial communities within Varroa mites is crucial for apiculture health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect entomopathogenic bacteria in Varroa mites collected from winter beehive debris.
- To identify bacterial taxa present in Varroa mites using culture-independent methods.
Main Methods:
- DNA extraction from 10 Varroa female individuals from 27 sites in Czechia.
- 16S rRNA gene amplification, cloning, and sequencing for bacterial community analysis.
- Histological examination of mite tissues to confirm bacterial presence.
Main Results:
- A total of 596 sequences representing 29 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified.
- Morganella sp. was the most frequent taxon, followed by Enterococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Rahnella sp., Erwinia sp., and Arsenophonus sp.
- Potentially pathogenic Spiroplasma sp. and Bartonella-like bacteria were detected in some mite samples.
Conclusions:
- Varroa mites from winter debris harbor a diverse bacterial community, including potential honeybee pathogens.
- The mites can act as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria, impacting apiculture.
- Detection of Spiroplasma sp. and Bartonella-like bacteria highlights the role of mites in disease transmission.
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