Parasites and RNA viruses in wild and laboratory reared bumble bees Bombus pauloensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Uruguay

Abstract

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators insects involved in the maintenance of natural ecosystems and food production. Bombus pauloensis is a widely distributed species in South America, that recently began to be managed and commercialized in this region. The movement of colonies within or between countries may favor the dissemination of parasites and pathogens, putting into risk while populations of B. pauloensis and other native species. In this study, wild B. pauloensis queens and workers, and laboratory reared workers were screened for the presence of phoretic mites, internal parasites (microsporidia, protists, nematodes and parasitoids) and RNA viruses (Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Acute paralysis virus (ABCV) and Sacbrood virus (SBV)). Bumble bee queens showed the highest number of mite species, and it was the only group where Conopidae and S. bombi were detected. In the case of microsporidia, a higher prevalence of N. ceranae was detected in field workers. Finally, the bumble bees presented the four RNA viruses studied for A. mellifera, in proportions similar to those previously reported in this species. Those results highlight the risks of spillover among the different species of pollinators.

Pathogens Spillover from Honey Bees to Other Arthropods

“…The following are available online at , Table S1: Bee pathogen spillover and prevalence identified in hymenopteran hosts, of which are reported condition, stage, geographical area and year, Table S2: Bee pathogen spillover and prevalence identified in arthropod hosts, of which are reported condition, stage, geographical are and year [ 210 , 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 , 215 , 216 , 217 , 218 , 219 , 220 , 221 , 222 , 223 , 224 , 225 , 226 , 227 , 228 , 229 , 230 , 231 , 232 ].…”

Honeybee visitation to shared flowers increases Vairimorpha ceranae prevalence in bumblebees

“…), stingless bees ( Tetragonula hockingsi , Tetragonisca spp., Scaptotrigona spp., Melipona spp. ), and solitary bees ( Osmia bicornis ; Cilia et al, 2022 ; Furst et al, 2014 ; Graystock et al, 2013 ; Müller et al, 2019 ; Plischuk et al, 2009 ; Purkiss & Lach, 2019 ; Salvarrey et al, 2021 ). Transmission of V. ceranae between individuals is primarily fecal–oral or oral–oral, as it is spread through ingestion of contaminated food or contact with the feces of diseased hosts (Chen et al, 2008 ; Smith, 2012 ).…”