ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO IMPORTANT HONEYBEE-KILLING VIRUS SPECIES, DEFORMED WING VIRUS (DWV) AND BLACK QUEEN CELL VIRUS (BQCV) FROM MESSOR CONCOLOR ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Abstract

Pathogenic organisms such as viruses can infect multiple host species from different trophic levels. Honeybee, A. mellifera is naturally infected by many viruses. Understanding the mechanism underlying virus spread in honeybee colonies highly depends on the pathogenic ability of honeybee killing viruses in other insects such as ants, Messor concolor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence and prevalence of two significant viruses, deformed wing virus (DWV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV) of honeybees in ants from the nests around different honeybee apiaries in Southeast Turkey by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Both viruses were present in two nests while the former existed in another hive. Some ant nests were uninfected. This study is the first to report the molecular detection of the honeybee infecting DWV and BQCV in ants. Further studies should be devoted to the mechanisms underlying virus spread between honeybee and other interacting insects especially the Hymenopterans.