Avaliação sanitária de apiários do pampa para vírus da família iflaviridae

Abstract

In recent years, we have seen a sharp and worrying decline of the global bee populations, a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), that is seriously threatening beekeeping and crops that depend on bees for pollination. Among the reasons cited for this decline as suspects, are the viruses. Because the swarms are densely populated and have a high rate of contact between the colony members, relating each other for communication and feeding, bee colonies provide great opportunities for viral transmission. The virus can affect all developmental bee stages, including eggs, brood and adults, and drastically reducing honey production and pollination. Among the family of viruses that affect the bees is the Iflaviridae family, with no scientific records in the hives of Apis mellifera in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This study aims to identify the viruses of this family that are present in beehives of different state cities. Adult workers of Apis mellifera and dead pups were collected from six hives of two apiaries. These individuals were processed at molecular biology laboratory of the Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel campus, where we performed extraction of total RNA, cDNA synthesis and PCR with specific primers for viral detection, as well as a multispecies primer that detects three Iflavirus types (Deformed Wing Virus, Kacugo Viruses and Varroa Destructor Virus). Positive results were obtained for the presence of Varroa destructor virus (VDV-1) with a specific primer for this one, as well as viral amplification in different samples using the multispecific primer, suggesting the presence of other viruses. This is the first record of VDV-1 in South America hives. These results allow a better understanding of the problems that affect or may affect the region apiaries, as well as provides subsidies for new viral detections in Apis mellifera.