Abstract
Deformed wing virus (DWV) has been linked to the global decline of honey bees. DWV exists as three master variants (DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C), each with differing outcomes for the honey bee host. Research in the USA showed a shift from DWV-A to DWV-B between 2010 to 2016 in honey bee colonies. Likewise, in the UK, a small study in 2007 found only DWV-A, whereas in 2016, DWV-B was the most prevalent variant. This suggests a shift from DWV-A to DWV-B might have occurred in the UK between 2007 and 2016. To investigate this further, data from samples collected in 2009/10 (n = 46) were compared to existing data from 2016 (n = 42). These samples also allowed a comparison of DWV variants between Varroa-untreated (feral) and Varroa-treated (managed) colonies. The results revealed that, in the UK, DWV-A was far more prevalent in 2009/10 (87%) than in 2016 (43%). In contrast, DWV-B was less prevalent in 2009/10 (76%) than in 2016 (93%). Regardless if colonies had been treated for Varroa (managed) or not (feral), the same trend from DWV-A to DWV-B occurred. Overall, the results reveal a decrease in DWV-A and an increase in DWV-B in UK colonies.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2693-2702 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Archives of Virology |
| Volume | 166 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project was funded by the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), Bee Disease Insurance (BDI) Ltd, CB Dennis Trust, Defra and Welsh government.
Funding Information:
Special thanks to Martin Smith of Bee Disease Insurance (BDI) Ltd, the British and Welsh beekeepers, the National Bee Unit, and Dr. Catherine Thompson. Funding to the Schroeder Lab was through a joint award by the BDI, CB Dennis Trust, and BBKA.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).