A Lake Sinai Virus Variant is Infecting Managed Honey Bee Colonies of Argentina with Varying Degrees of Varroa destructor Infestation

Abstract

Introduction European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are highly social insects that live in colonies (Pennisi, 2006; Winston, 1987); they are very important for agriculture, fulfilling an important role in pollination and renewal of the ecosystem (DeGrandiHoffman & Chen, 2015; McMenamin & Flenniken, 2018; Pettis et al., 2013). However, significant losses of colonies and population decline of honey bees and native bees have been reported in several countries in recent years. Most researchers agree that premature losses are linked to several factors, including viral infections that have a great impact on the colonies (Ellis & Munn, 2005; Evans & Schwarz, 2011; Martin et al., 2012; Mondet et al., 2014).