Virus Infections of Honeybees Apis Mellifera

Giuseppina Tantillo1, Marilisa Bottaro1, Angela Di Pinto1

  • 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari , Valenzano, Italy.

Insights

Honeybee viruses pose a significant threat to colony health. Understanding their transmission and pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective disease control strategies for beekeepers and researchers.

Area of Science:

  • Apiculture and Veterinary Entomology
  • Virology
  • Insect Pathology

Background:

  • Honeybee colonies face threats from parasites and pathogens, with viruses being a major concern for researchers and beekeepers.
  • Effective disease control strategies are needed to mitigate the impact of honeybee viruses on colony health and productivity.

Approach:

  • This review summarizes recent advancements in understanding eight key honeybee viruses.
  • Information on virus morphology, genome organization, transmission, epidemiology, and pathogenesis is compiled.

Key Points:

  • Deformed wing virus (DWV) and Kakugo virus (KV)
  • Sacbrood virus (SBV)
  • Black Queen cell virus (BQCV)
  • Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV)
  • Kashmir bee virus (KBV)
  • Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV)
  • Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV)

Conclusions:

  • Updated information on honeybee viruses is provided for researchers.
  • This review serves as a foundation for future research into honeybee viral diseases.