AI Summary
The article examines the impact of migratory and stationary management on the prevalence and genetic characterization of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) in honey bee colonies in Entre Ríos, Argentina. Results show higher DWV presence and abundance in migratory colonies, particularly towards the end of the season. Sequence analysis revealed all samples belonged to DWV-A type. The study suggests that while migration benefits honey bees by accessing diverse floral resources, ending the season in monoculture areas may have negative effects on viral infection.
In Argentina, migratory activity in search of floral diversity has become a common approach to maximizing honey production. The Entre Ríos province possesses a floral diversity that allows beekeepers to perform migratory or stationary management. Beyond the impact caused by transhumance, migratory colonies in this province start and end the season in monoculture areas. To study the effect of these practices on viral infection, we assayed for the presence, abundance and genetic characterization of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) in honey bees from apiaries with both types of management. In migratory apiaries, DWV was detectable in 86.2% of the colonies at the beginning of the season (September 2018), and 66% at the end of the season (March 2019). On the other hand, DWV was detected in 44.11% and 53.12% of stationary samples, at the beginning and the end of the season, respectively. Sequence analysis from migratory and stationary colonies revealed that all samples belonged to DWV-A type. The highest viral loads were detected in migratory samples collected in September. Higher DWV presence and abundance were associated with migratory management and the sampling time. Based on our findings we propose that the benefit of migration to wild flowering areas can be dissipated when the bee colonies end the season with monoculture.
Globally, honey bees play a crucial role in pollinating agricultural