Presence and prevalence of viruses in local and migratory honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Massachusetts

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2009 Dec;75(24):7862-5. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01319-09. Epub 2009 Oct 23.

Abstract

Migratory and local bees in Massachusetts were analyzed for seven viruses. Three were detected: black queen cell virus (BQCV), deformed wing virus (DWV), and sacbrood virus (SBV). DWV was most common, followed closely by BQCV and then by SBV. BQCV and SBV were present at significantly higher rates in the migratory bees assayed, bringing into question the impact that these bees have on the health of local bee populations.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Beekeeping
  • Bees / virology*
  • Insect Viruses / classification
  • Insect Viruses / genetics
  • Insect Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • Massachusetts
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction