Deformed wing virus variant shift from 2010 to 2016 in managed and feral UK honey bee colonies

Kevill, JL; Stainton, KC; Schroeder, DC; Martin, SJ

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.

Citation

Kevill, J., Stainton, K., Schroeder, D., & Martin, S. (2021). Deformed wing virus variant shift from 2010 to 2016 in managed and feral UK honey bee colonies. Archives of Virology, 166(10), 2693-2702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05162-3

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 18, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 17, 2021
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Journal: Archives of Virology
• Print ISSN: 0304-8608
• Electronic ISSN: 1432-8798
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 166
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 2693-2702
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05162-3
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05162-3
• Related Public URLs: http://link.springer.com/journal/705