Honey bee associated viruses are unlikely to impact bumble bee colonies
while habitat heterogeneity supports their resilience
- Laura Bosco,
- Orlando Yañez,
- Alexandria Schauer,
- Corina Maurer,
- Samuel Cushman,
- Raphaël Arlettaz,
- Alain Jacot,
- Torsten Seuberlich,
- Peter Neumann,
- Daniel Schläppi
Alexandria Schauer
University of Bern Institute of Bee Health
Author ProfileCorina Maurer
University of Bern Faculty of Natural Sciences
Author ProfileRaphaël Arlettaz
University of Bern Faculty of Natural Sciences
Author ProfileDaniel Schläppi
University of Bern Institute of Bee Health
Author ProfileAbstract
Virus host shifts from managed honey bees, Apis mellifera, are thought
to contribute to the decline of wild pollinators. However, data on the
impact of such viruses on wild pollinators remain scarce, and how
landscape structure may affect virus transmission is poorly understood.
We experimentally deployed bumble bee colonies in an agricultural
landscape to study changes in the bumble bee virome under varying
habitat composition and configuration. The results show a decline in
prevalence and viral loads of honey bee associated viruses, while
viruses common in Bombus spp. increased during field exposure. Honey bee
associated viruses had no effect on colony development, suggesting that
immediate impacts are unlikely in the field. Notably, we further
demonstrate that increased habitat diversity results in fewer viruses in
Bombus colonies. To mitigate the decline of bumble bees and other wild
pollinators, we suggest focusing conservation efforts on habitat
diversification and restoration.02 Sep 2023Submitted to Ecology Letters 04 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
04 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
04 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major