The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Declan C. Schroeder - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Detection and Replication of Moku Virus in Honey Bees and Social Wasps
Viruses, 2020Co-Authors: Andrea Highfield, Jessica L. Kevill, Gideon Mordecai, Jade Hunt, Summer Henderson, Daniel Sauvard, John Feltwell, Stephen J. Martin, Seirian Sumner, Declan C. SchroederAbstract:Transmission of Honey bee viruses to other insects, and vice versa, has previously been reported and the true ecological importance of this phenomenon is still being realized. Members of the family Vespidae interact with Honey Bees via predation or through the robbing of brood or Honey from colonies, and these activities could result in virus transfer. In this study we screened Vespa velutina and Vespa crabro collected from Europe and China and also Honey Bees and Vespula vulgaris from the UK for Moku virus (MV), an Iflavirus first discovered in the predatory social wasp Vespula pensylvanica in Hawaii. MV was found in 71% of Vespula vulgaris screened and was also detected in UK Vespa crabro. Only seven percent of Vespa velutina individuals screened were MV-positive and these were exclusively samples from Jersey. Of 69 Honey bee colonies screened, 43% tested positive for MV. MV replication was confirmed in Apis mellifera and Vespidae species, being most frequently detected in Vespula vulgaris. MV sequences from the UK were most similar to MV from Vespula pensylvanica compared to MV from Vespa velutina in Belgium. The implications of the transfer of viruses between the Vespidae and Honey Bees are discussed.
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moku virus a new iflavirus found in wasps Honey Bees and varroa
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gideon Mordecai, Stephen J. Martin, Laura E Brettell, Purnima Pachori, Ethel M Villalobos, Ian M Jones, Declan C. SchroederAbstract:There is an increasing global trend of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) affecting a wide range of species, including Honey Bees. The global epidemic of the single stranded RNA Deformed wing virus (DWV), driven by the spread of Varroa destructor has been well documented. However, DWV is just one of many insect RNA viruses which infect a wide range of hosts. Here we report the full genome sequence of a novel Iflavirus named Moku virus (MV), discovered in the social wasp Vespula pensylvanica collected in Hawaii. The novel genome is 10,056 nucleotides long and encodes a polyprotein of 3050 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MV is most closely related to Slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV), which is highly virulent in Honey Bees but rarely detected. Worryingly, MV sequences were also detected in Honey Bees and Varroa from the same location, suggesting that MV can also infect other hymenopteran and Acari hosts.
Thomas D Seeley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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varroa destructor mites can nimbly climb from flowers onto foraging Honey Bees
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: David Thomas Peck, Michael L Smith, Thomas D SeeleyAbstract:Varroa destructor, the introduced parasite of European Honey Bees associated with massive colony deaths, spreads readily through populations of Honey bee colonies, both managed colonies living crowded together in apiaries and wild colonies living widely dispersed in natural settings. Mites are hypothesized to spread between most managed colonies via phoretically riding forager Bees when they engage in robbing colonies or they drift between hives. However, widely spaced wild colonies show Varroa infestation despite limited opportunities for robbing and little or no drifting of Bees between colonies. Both wild and managed colonies may also exchange mites via another mechanism that has received remarkably little attention or study: floral transmission. The present study tested the ability of mites to infest foragers at feeders or flowers. We show that Varroa destructor mites are highly capable of phoretically infesting foraging Honey Bees, detail the mechanisms and maneuvers by which they do so, and describe mite behaviors post-infestation.
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swarm cognition in Honey Bees
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2008Co-Authors: K M Passino, Thomas D Seeley, Kirk P VisscherAbstract:We synthesize findings from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral biology to show that some key features of cognition in the neuron-based brains of vertebrates are also present in the insect-based swarm of Honey Bees. We present our ideas in the context of the cognitive task of nest-site selection by Honey bee swarms. After reviewing the mechanisms of distributed evidence gathering and processing that are the basis of decision making in bee swarms, we point out numerous similarities in the functional organization of vertebrate brains and Honey bee swarms. These include the existence of interconnected subunits, parallel processing of information, a spatially distributed memory, layered processing of information, lateral inhibition, and mechanisms of focusing attention on critical stimuli. We also review the performance of simulated swarms in standard psychological tests of decision making: tests of discrimination ability and assessments of distractor effects.
Stephen J. Martin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Detection and Replication of Moku Virus in Honey Bees and Social Wasps
Viruses, 2020Co-Authors: Andrea Highfield, Jessica L. Kevill, Gideon Mordecai, Jade Hunt, Summer Henderson, Daniel Sauvard, John Feltwell, Stephen J. Martin, Seirian Sumner, Declan C. SchroederAbstract:Transmission of Honey bee viruses to other insects, and vice versa, has previously been reported and the true ecological importance of this phenomenon is still being realized. Members of the family Vespidae interact with Honey Bees via predation or through the robbing of brood or Honey from colonies, and these activities could result in virus transfer. In this study we screened Vespa velutina and Vespa crabro collected from Europe and China and also Honey Bees and Vespula vulgaris from the UK for Moku virus (MV), an Iflavirus first discovered in the predatory social wasp Vespula pensylvanica in Hawaii. MV was found in 71% of Vespula vulgaris screened and was also detected in UK Vespa crabro. Only seven percent of Vespa velutina individuals screened were MV-positive and these were exclusively samples from Jersey. Of 69 Honey bee colonies screened, 43% tested positive for MV. MV replication was confirmed in Apis mellifera and Vespidae species, being most frequently detected in Vespula vulgaris. MV sequences from the UK were most similar to MV from Vespula pensylvanica compared to MV from Vespa velutina in Belgium. The implications of the transfer of viruses between the Vespidae and Honey Bees are discussed.
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moku virus a new iflavirus found in wasps Honey Bees and varroa
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gideon Mordecai, Stephen J. Martin, Laura E Brettell, Purnima Pachori, Ethel M Villalobos, Ian M Jones, Declan C. SchroederAbstract:There is an increasing global trend of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) affecting a wide range of species, including Honey Bees. The global epidemic of the single stranded RNA Deformed wing virus (DWV), driven by the spread of Varroa destructor has been well documented. However, DWV is just one of many insect RNA viruses which infect a wide range of hosts. Here we report the full genome sequence of a novel Iflavirus named Moku virus (MV), discovered in the social wasp Vespula pensylvanica collected in Hawaii. The novel genome is 10,056 nucleotides long and encodes a polyprotein of 3050 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MV is most closely related to Slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV), which is highly virulent in Honey Bees but rarely detected. Worryingly, MV sequences were also detected in Honey Bees and Varroa from the same location, suggesting that MV can also infect other hymenopteran and Acari hosts.
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the occurrence of ecto parasitic leptus sp mites on africanized Honey Bees
Journal of Apicultural Research, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen J. Martin, Maria Emilene CorreiaoliveiraAbstract:Honey bee-mite-pathogen associations have led to the widespread collapse of Apis mellifera colonies in various parts of the world. The global trade in Bees continues to expose Honey Bees to new pests and pathogens. Here we highlight to the beekeeping community a potential new mite-pathogen association. In South America, ecto-parasitic Leptus mite larvae have been recorded parasitizing adult Honey Bees and these mites are known to transmit Spiroplasma bacteria, the causative agent of “Mays disease” in Bees. Here we provide new data and review past studies on Leptus mites, and discuss the potential risk to A. mellifera that this mite may pose in the future.
Gideon Mordecai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Detection and Replication of Moku Virus in Honey Bees and Social Wasps
Viruses, 2020Co-Authors: Andrea Highfield, Jessica L. Kevill, Gideon Mordecai, Jade Hunt, Summer Henderson, Daniel Sauvard, John Feltwell, Stephen J. Martin, Seirian Sumner, Declan C. SchroederAbstract:Transmission of Honey bee viruses to other insects, and vice versa, has previously been reported and the true ecological importance of this phenomenon is still being realized. Members of the family Vespidae interact with Honey Bees via predation or through the robbing of brood or Honey from colonies, and these activities could result in virus transfer. In this study we screened Vespa velutina and Vespa crabro collected from Europe and China and also Honey Bees and Vespula vulgaris from the UK for Moku virus (MV), an Iflavirus first discovered in the predatory social wasp Vespula pensylvanica in Hawaii. MV was found in 71% of Vespula vulgaris screened and was also detected in UK Vespa crabro. Only seven percent of Vespa velutina individuals screened were MV-positive and these were exclusively samples from Jersey. Of 69 Honey bee colonies screened, 43% tested positive for MV. MV replication was confirmed in Apis mellifera and Vespidae species, being most frequently detected in Vespula vulgaris. MV sequences from the UK were most similar to MV from Vespula pensylvanica compared to MV from Vespa velutina in Belgium. The implications of the transfer of viruses between the Vespidae and Honey Bees are discussed.
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moku virus a new iflavirus found in wasps Honey Bees and varroa
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gideon Mordecai, Stephen J. Martin, Laura E Brettell, Purnima Pachori, Ethel M Villalobos, Ian M Jones, Declan C. SchroederAbstract:There is an increasing global trend of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) affecting a wide range of species, including Honey Bees. The global epidemic of the single stranded RNA Deformed wing virus (DWV), driven by the spread of Varroa destructor has been well documented. However, DWV is just one of many insect RNA viruses which infect a wide range of hosts. Here we report the full genome sequence of a novel Iflavirus named Moku virus (MV), discovered in the social wasp Vespula pensylvanica collected in Hawaii. The novel genome is 10,056 nucleotides long and encodes a polyprotein of 3050 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MV is most closely related to Slow bee paralysis virus (SBPV), which is highly virulent in Honey Bees but rarely detected. Worryingly, MV sequences were also detected in Honey Bees and Varroa from the same location, suggesting that MV can also infect other hymenopteran and Acari hosts.
Yanping Chen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of imidacloprid and varroa destructor on survival and health of european Honey Bees apis mellifera
Insect Science, 2017Co-Authors: Pendo M Abbo, Joshua K Kawasaki, Michele Hamilton, Steven C Cook, Gloria Degrandihoffman, Wen Feng Li, Yanping ChenAbstract:There has been growing concern over declines in populations of Honey Bees and other pollinators which are a vital part to our food security. It is imperative to identify factors responsible for accelerated declines in bee populations and develop solutions for reversing bee losses. While exact causes of colony losses remain elusive, risk factors thought to play key roles are ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and neonicotinoid pesticides. The present study aims to investigate effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide Imidacloprid and Varroa mites individually on survivorship, growth, physiology, virus dynamics and immunity of Honey bee workers. Our study provides clear evidence that the exposure to sublethal doses of Imidacloprid could exert a significantly negative effect on health and survival of Honey Bees. We observed a significant reduction in the titer of vitellogenin (Vg), an egg yolk precursor that regulates the Honey Bees development and behavior and often are linked to energy homeostasis, in Bees exposed to Imidacloprid. This result indicates that sublethal exposure to neonicotinoid could lead to increased energy usage in Honey Bees as detoxification is a energy-consuming metabolic process and suggests that Vg could be a useful biomarker for measuring levels of energy stress and sublethal effects of pesticides on Honey Bees. Measurement of the quantitative effects of different levels of Varroa mite infestation on the replication dynamic of Deformed wing virus (DWV), an RNA virus associated with Varroa infestation, and expression level of immune genes yields unique insights into how Honey Bees respond to stressors under laboratory conditions.
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asymmetrical coexistence of nosema ceranae and nosema apis in Honey Bees
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 2009Co-Authors: Yanping Chen, Jay D Evans, Liang Zhou, Humberto F Boncristiani, Kiyoshi Kimura, Tieguang Xiao, A M Litkowski, Jeffery S PettisAbstract:Globalization has provided opportunities for parasites/pathogens to cross geographic boundaries and expand to new hosts. Recent studies showed that Nosema ceranae, originally considered a microsporidian parasite of Eastern Honey Bees, Apis cerana, is a disease agent of nosemosis in European Honey Bees, Apis mellifera, along with the resident species, Nosema apis. Further studies indicated that disease caused by N. ceranae in European Honey Bees is far more prevalent than that caused by N. apis. In order to gain more insight into the epidemiology of Nosema parasitism in Honey Bees, we conducted studies to investigate infection of Nosema in its original host, Eastern Honey Bees, using conventional PCR and duplex real time quantitative PCR methods. Our results showed that A. cerana was infected not only with N. ceranae as previously reported [Fries, I., Feng, F., Silva, A.D., Slemenda, S.B., Pieniazek, N.J., 1996. Nosema ceranae n. sp. (Microspora, Nosematidae), morphological and molecular characterization of a microsporidian parasite of the Asian Honey bee Apis cerana (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Eur. J. Protistol. 32, 356-365], but also with N. apis. Both microsporidia produced single and mixed infections. Overall and at each location alone, the prevalence of N. ceranae was higher than that of N. apis. In all cases of mixed infections, the number of N. ceranae gene copies (corresponding to the parasite load) significantly out numbered those of N. apis. Phylogenetic analysis based on a variable region of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) showed four distinct clades of N. apis and five clades of N. ceranae and that geographical distance does not appear to influence the genetic diversity of Nosema populations. The results from this study demonstrated that duplex real-time qPCR assay developed in this study is a valuable tool for quantitative measurement of Nosema and can be used to monitor the progression of microsprodian infections of Honey Bees in a timely and cost efficient manner.
