Genotype, but Not Climate, Affects the Resistance of Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) to Viral Infections and to the Mite <i>Varroa destructor</i>

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of genotype and climate on the resistance of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies to parasitic and viral diseases. The prevalence and intensity of parasitism by Varroa destructor, or infection by Nosema spp., and four honey bee viruses were determined in 365 colonies of predominantly European or African ancestry (descendants of A. m. scutellata) in subtropical and temperate regions of Mexico. Varroa destructor was the most prevalent parasite (95%), whilst N. ceranae was the least prevalent parasite (15%). Deformed wing virus (DWV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV) were the only viruses detected, at frequencies of 38% and 66%, respectively. Varroa destructor was significantly more prevalent in colonies of European ancestry (p V. destructor or infection by DWV and BQCV was also significantly higher in colonies of European descent than in African descent colonies (p N. ceranae. Additionally, significant and positive correlations were found between V. destructor and DWV levels, and the abundance of these pathogens was negatively correlated with the African ancestry of colonies (p V. destructor.

Keywords

• <i>Apis mellifera</i>
• <i>Varroa destructor</i>
• DWV
• BQCV
• Africanized bees
• susceptibility