Viruses (2015) 7, 3586-3602

Joachim R. de Miranda, R. Scott Cornman, Jay D. Evans, Emilia Semberg, Nizar Haddad, Peter Neumann and Laurent Gauthier (2015)
Genome characterization, prevalence and distribution of a Macula-like virus from Apis mellifera and Varroa destructor
Viruses 7 (7), 3586-3602
Abstract: Around 14 distinct virus species-complexes have been detected in honeybees, each with one or more strains or sub-species. Here we present the initial characterization of an entirely new virus species-complex discovered in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and varroa mite (Varroa destructor) samples from Europe and the USA. The virus has a naturally poly-adenylated RNA genome of about 6500 nucleotides with a genome organization and sequence similar to the Tymoviridae (Tymovirales; Tymoviridae), a predominantly plant-infecting virus family. Literature and laboratory analyses indicated that the virus had not previously been described. The virus is very common in French apiaries, mirroring the results from an extensive Belgian survey, but could not be detected in equally-extensive Swedish and Norwegian bee disease surveys. The virus appears to be closely linked to varroa, with the highest prevalence found in varroa samples and a clear seasonal distribution peaking in autumn, coinciding with the natural varroa population development. Sub-genomic RNA analyses show that bees are definite hosts, while varroa is a possible host and likely vector. The tentative name of Bee Macula-like virus (BeeMLV) is therefore proposed. A second, distantly related Tymoviridae-like virus was also discovered in varroa transcriptomes, tentatively named Varroa Tymo-like virus (VTLV).
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Peter Neumann, Joachim R. de Miranda, Jay D. Evans, Laurent Gauthier

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Varroa destructor		France
	Bee Macula-like virus		France
	Bee Macula-like virus		U.S.A. (NE)