The correlation between bee (Apis mellifera) emergence temperature and replication dynamics of the deformed wing virus

Author of the article:1ZHANG Xuan1，2**CHEN YanPing2ZHOU DanYin1 HE ShaoYu1

Author's Workplace：. Eastern Bee Research Institute，Yunnan Agricultural University，Kunming 650201，China; Bee Research Laboratory，USDAARS，Beltsville，Maryland 20705，America

Key Words：Apis mellifera, deformed wing virus, emergence temperature, virus titer

Abstract：Understanding the replication dynamics of viruses is vital to the study of disease pathogenesis. The dynamics of the deformed wing virus (DWV) in honeybee hosts was investigated. Pupae from a colony with no apparent DWV infection were bred at different temperatures. Newly emerged worker bees were collected and virus titers calculated. We found that unsuitable emergence temperatures cause a sharp decline in adult emergence from pupae. Simultaneously, DWV titers significantly increased in the adults that did emerge. These results partly explain abnormal colony losses during periods of low temperature in winter and early spring. Our laboratory studies support the correlation between abiotic stress factors and the dynamics of virus replication in honey bees.