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Widespread distribution of honey bee-associated pathogens in native bees and wasps: Trends in pathogen prevalence and
Kaitlin R Deutsch1, Jason R Graham2, Humberto F Boncristiani3
1Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Pollinators have experienced significant declines in the past decade, in part due to emerging infectious diseases. Historically, studies have primarily focused on pathogens in the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera. However, recent work has demonstrated that these pathogens are shared by other pollinators and can negatively affect their health. Here, we surveyed honey bees and 15 native bee and wasp species for 13 pathogens traditionally associated with honey bees. The native bee and wasp species included 11 species not previously screened for pathogens. We found at least one honey bee-associated pathogen in 53% of native bee and wasp samples. The most widely distributed and commonly detected pathogens were the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, and the viruses deformed wing virus and black queen cell virus. The prevalence of viruses was generally higher in honey bees than in native bees and wasps. However, the prevalence of M. plutonius and the brood fungus Ascosphaera apis was significantly higher in some native bee species than in honey bees. The data also reveal novel trends in the association between co-occurring pathogens in honey bees and native bees and wasps at the pathogen community level. These results can inform the assessment of risks that native pollinator species face from pathogen stress, and indicate that many non-viral pathogens, notably M. plutonius and N. ceranae, are far more widely distributed and commonly found in native bees and wasps than previously thought.
Insights
Many native bees and wasps carry honey bee pathogens like Nosema ceranae and Melissococcus plutonius. This highlights the widespread threat of infectious diseases to pollinator health and conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Pollination Ecology
- Insect Pathology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Pollinator populations are declining due to emerging infectious diseases.
- Research has historically focused on pathogens in Western honey bees (Apis mellifera).
- Pathogens affecting honey bees can also impact native pollinator health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey honey bees and 15 native bee and wasp species for 13 honey bee-associated pathogens.
- To assess the prevalence of these pathogens in native pollinators, including 11 species not previously screened.
- To understand pathogen sharing and community dynamics between honey bees and native pollinators.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling of honey bees and 15 native bee and wasp species.
- Laboratory screening for 13 specific pathogens using molecular and microbiological techniques.
- Prevalence and distribution analysis of detected pathogens.
Main Results:
- 53% of native bee and wasp samples harbored at least one honey bee-associated pathogen.
- Nosema ceranae, Melissococcus plutonius, deformed wing virus, and black queen cell virus were most common.
- While viruses were more prevalent in honey bees, M. plutonius and Ascosphaera apis were more prevalent in some native species.
- Novel pathogen co-occurrence patterns were observed at the community level.
Conclusions:
- Native bees and wasps are frequently infected with pathogens typically found in honey bees.
- Non-viral pathogens like M. plutonius and N. ceranae are widespread in native pollinators.
- Findings inform risk assessments for native pollinator health and conservation strategies.
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