Scientific note on the first molecular detection of the acute bee paralysis virus in Brazilian stingless bees

Ueira-Vieira, Carlos; Almeida, Luciana O.; Almeida, Fernando Corrêa de; Amaral, Isabel Marques Rodrigues; Brandeburgo, Malcon Antonio Manfredi; Bonetti, Ana Maria

doi:10.1007/s13592-015-0353-2

Cited by 34 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Our results add to those of other studies that demonstrate the threat of pathogens from managed bees to wild bee populations [14,19,28,62]. Stingless bees should be a high priority group for further elucidating the threats posed by emergent diseases and their possible mitigation given the bees' importance as pollinators, broad geographical overlap with A. mellifera, harbouring of A. mellifera viruses [15,16] and now demonstrated susceptibility to N. ceranae. Decreased longevity is only part of the risk; N. ceranae induces behavioural changes in A. mellifera [25] and reduces learning in B. terrestris [63].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Pathogen spillover from Apis mellifera to a stingless bee

Purkiss

Lach

2019

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Pathogen spillover from managed bees is increasingly considered as a possible cause of pollinator decline. Though spillover has been frequently documented, evidence of the pathogen's virulence in the new host or mechanism of transmission is rare. Stingless bees (Apocrita: Meliponini) are crucial pollinators pan-tropically and overlap with managed honeybees (Apis mellifera) in much of their range. Nosema ceranae is the most prevalent disease of adult A. mellifera. We used laboratory experiments and field surveys to investigate the susceptibility of stingless bees (Tetragonula hockingsi) to N. ceranae, infection prevalence and transmissibility via flowers. We found that 67% of T. hockingsi fed sucrose with N. ceranae had detectable spores in their ventriculus, and they died at 2.96 times the rate of sucroseonly fed bees. Five of six field hives harboured bees with N. ceranae present at least once during our five-month survey, with prevalence up to 20%. In our floral transmission experiment, 67% of inflorescences exposed to infected A. mellifera yielded N. ceranae spores, and all resulted in T. hockingsi with N. ceranae spores in their guts. We conclude that N. ceranae is virulent in T. hockingsi under laboratory conditions, is common in the local T. hockingsi population and is transmissible via flowers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Pathogen spillover from Apis mellifera to a stingless bee

Purkiss

Lach

2019

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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“…However, the impact of diseases caused by different viruses, though often overlooked, cannot be ignored. In fact, several studies have identified multiple harmful viruses infecting honeybees and bumblebees (Bailey et al, 1963, 1964, 1982; Bailey, 1969; Bailey and Woods, 1974, 1977; Benjeddou et al, 2001; Maori et al, 2007; Rana et al, 2011; Granberg et al, 2013; Chen et al, 2014; Meeus et al, 2014; Roberts and Anderson, 2014; Ravoet et al, 2015; Ueira-Vieira et al, 2015; Benaets et al, 2017; Natsopoulou et al, 2017). In addition, in the specific case of honeybees, losses have also been linked to the so-called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which, in general terms, results in the sudden death of colonies.…”

Section: Insect Viral Infections and Rnai-based Antiviral Immunitymentioning

confidence: 99%

RNA Interference in Insects: Protecting Beneficials and Controlling Pests

et al. 2019

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Insects constitute the largest and most diverse group of animals on Earth with an equally diverse virome. The main antiviral immune system of these animals is the post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism known as RNA(i) interference. Furthermore, this process can be artificially triggered via delivery of gene-specific double-stranded RNA molecules, leading to specific endogenous gene silencing. This is called RNAi technology and has important applications in several fields. In this paper, we review RNAi mechanisms in insects as well as the potential of RNAi technology to contribute to species-specific insecticidal strategies. Regarding this aspect, we cover the range of strategies considered and investigated so far, as well as their limitations and the most promising approaches to overcome them. Additionally, we discuss patterns of viral infection, specifically persistent and acute insect viral infections. In the latter case, we focus on infections affecting economically relevant species. Within this scope, we review the use of insect-specific viruses as bio-insecticides. Last, we discuss RNAi-based strategies to protect beneficial insects from harmful viral infections and their potential practical application. As a whole, this manuscript stresses the impact of insect viruses and RNAi technology in human life, highlighting clear lines of investigation within an exciting and promising field of research.

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“…The global distribution of honey bees favors their microbial pathogens to spillover stingless bees native to tropical and subtropical regions [73]. Indeed, some honey bee pathogens already detected in stingless bees include the disease-causing bacterium Lysinibacillus sphaericus in Australia [74], the acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) in Brazil [75], the bacterium M. plutonius in Brazil [76], and the fungus Nosema ceranae in laboratory colonies [73]. Therefore, an ecological approach to study bacterial symbionts of stingless bees involved in defensive responses can be based on microbial pathogens of honey bees and bumble bees.…”

Section: Natural Products Mediating Microbial Symbiosis In Stingless mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Ecology in Insect-microbe Interactions in the Neotropics

2020

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Small molecules frequently mediate symbiotic interactions between microorganisms and their hosts. Brazil harbors the highest diversity of insects in the world; however, just recently, efforts have been directed to deciphering the chemical signals involved in the symbioses of microorganisms and social insects. The current scenario of natural products research guided by chemical ecology is discussed in this review. Two groups of social insects have been prioritized in the studies, fungus-farming ants and stingless bees, leading to the identification of natural products involved in defensive and nutritional symbioses. Some of the compounds also present potential pharmaceutical applications as antimicrobials, and this is likely related to their ecological roles. Microbial symbioses in termites and wasps are suggested promising sources of biologically active small molecules. Aspects related to public policies for insect biodiversity preservation are also highlighted.

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Scientific note on the first molecular detection of the acute bee paralysis virus in Brazilian stingless bees

Cited by 34 publications

References 11 publications

Pathogen spillover from Apis mellifera to a stingless bee

Pathogen spillover from Apis mellifera to a stingless bee

RNA Interference in Insects: Protecting Beneficials and Controlling Pests

Chemical Ecology in Insect-microbe Interactions in the Neotropics

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