Review of Bee Health

A new hope in the battle against Varroa-associated honey bee collapse

October 29, 2015

From: The Marine Biolological Association

A honey bee colony in England which has survived a disease that killed its neighbours, may provide a clue to the future management of these important pollinators.

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Viruses play an extremely important role in controlling host populations. DWV is closely related to a marine virus studied by the MBA’s Schroeder Research Group. DWV particles are not all identical, but made up of a swarm of three major variants (one of which was recently discovered by the authors). However, advances in sequencing technology have enabled the discovery of a unique viral dynamic in Swindon where a less deadly variant of DWV seems to prevent the entry of a more harmful variant, which may explain how these honey bees have survived.