Effects of Tropilaelaps mercedesae on the survival and food consumption of honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Author of the article:MA Shi-Long1, 2** YANG Yang2 DIAO Qing-Yun2 FU Zhong-Min1*** DAI Ping-Li2***
Author's Workplace:1. Bee Academy, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; 2. Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology of Agriculture, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
Key Words:Apis mellifera, Tropilaelaps mercedesae, longevity, diet consumption, honey bee virus
Abstract:
[Objectives] Tropilaelaps
mercedesae is one of the most devastating
pests of the Western honey bee (Apis
mellifera) in Asia and causes significant economic losses
to the beekeeping industry in China. We evaluated the survival, viral infection status, and sugar
syrup and pollen consumption, of honey bees infested by T. mercedesae. [Methods] Newly emerged infected and uninfected workers
were collected from brood combs and reared in incubator for 15 d. Worker bee
survival was measured using the Kaplan-Meier method. A surplus of syrup and
pollen were fed ad libitum each day, and sugar syrup and pollen consumption was
calculated daily and over the duration of the experiment. Viruses (BQCV, DWV,
VDV-1, ABPV, CBPV, IAPV, SBV, CSBV) were detected in day 7 larvae, in newly
emerged bees, and in adults that had been reared for 15 d. [Results] T. mercedesae significantly decreased
the survival, and increased the sugar syrup and pollen consumption, of honey
bees. We found DWV in day 7 larvae, and DWV and IAPV in newly emerged bees in
both experimental groups. DWV was not found in parasitized individuals reared
for 15 d, however, BQCV, DWV,
IAPV and VDV-1 viruses were found in adults that
had been parasitized by T. mercedesae. [Conclusion] The number of virus species in honey bees
parasitized by T. mercedesae increased over time compared to the control group. Even if T. mercedesae does not cause morphologic change in some honey bees, it may
lead to an increase in the number of viruses. The replication of viruses and
the resultant increased immune response of honey bees may increase the energy
consumption of the latter, thereby reducing their survival.