Can the examination of different types of hive samples be a non-invasive method for detection and quantification of viruses in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies?

Abstract

Honey bee viruses have been shown to negatively affect the vigour and longevity of European honey bees (Apis mellifera L). In the present work, beehive materials were tested for their potential to serve as non-invasive samples for honey bee virus detection.

Keywords

• acute bee paralysis virus
• black queen cell virus
• deformed wing virus
• honey bee viruses
• sacbrood virus