Pathogens of honey bees (Apis mellifera) are spread worldwide and are strongly related to the decline of bee populations, with severe implications for ecosystems and beekeeping. They include viruses such as Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV), Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV),and Sac Brood Virus (SBV); bacteria such as Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius; and microsporidia such as Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis.
These diseases can cause severe damage at both individual and bee colony levels, and can result in colony losses or Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In addition to relevant damage to the honey bee population they can reduce the lifespan of bees, cause alteration of the homeostasis and renewal of tissues, malnutrition, impaired behavior orientation, and suppressed immune function. Besides, honey bee pathogens represent a threat for wild bees and pollinators, infecting them through direct contact or floral contaminations.
These pathogens are continuously studied by researchers to better understand the relationship and the effects on bee colonies. However, new invasive pests (such as Varroa destructor, Aethina tumida, Vespa velutina, etc.) necessitate further studies to better define their vectors or possible sources of infection for honey bees. There is also concern that these bee pathogens may also be able to infect invasive species that could be vectors for the honeybee population. An example of which is Varroa destructor which represents the main virus transmission route and Aethina tumida and Vespa velutina , which can be infected by a wide range of bee pathogens but whose roles in epidemiology remain unclear. For these reasons, expanding our knowledge on bee pathogens has become a matter of public interest and connected with the critical role of general bee health.
The aim of this Research Topic is to therefore explore bee health and bacterial infections which impact them, through a series of research articles focused on various aspects of the health of honey bees. We welcome research on different levels of the bee organization including molecular health, microbial health, and bee interactions with invasive species that live in close contact with the bee population. Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews and Mini Reviews are welcomed.
We are especially interested in topics on but not limited to the following sub-themes:
1. Bacterial infections and pathogenesis in honey bees and its implications
2. Viral diseases in honey bees and their implications
3. Nosemosis in honey bees and its implications
4. Pathogens spillover from honey bees to other insects
Pathogens of honey bees (Apis mellifera) are spread worldwide and are strongly related to the decline of bee populations, with severe implications for ecosystems and beekeeping. They include viruses such as Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV), Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV),and Sac Brood Virus (SBV); bacteria such as Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius; and microsporidia such as Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis.
These diseases can cause severe damage at both individual and bee colony levels, and can result in colony losses or Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In addition to relevant damage to the honey bee population they can reduce the lifespan of bees, cause alteration of the homeostasis and renewal of tissues, malnutrition, impaired behavior orientation, and suppressed immune function. Besides, honey bee pathogens represent a threat for wild bees and pollinators, infecting them through direct contact or floral contaminations.
These pathogens are continuously studied by researchers to better understand the relationship and the effects on bee colonies. However, new invasive pests (such as Varroa destructor, Aethina tumida, Vespa velutina, etc.) necessitate further studies to better define their vectors or possible sources of infection for honey bees. There is also concern that these bee pathogens may also be able to infect invasive species that could be vectors for the honeybee population. An example of which is Varroa destructor which represents the main virus transmission route and Aethina tumida and Vespa velutina , which can be infected by a wide range of bee pathogens but whose roles in epidemiology remain unclear. For these reasons, expanding our knowledge on bee pathogens has become a matter of public interest and connected with the critical role of general bee health.
The aim of this Research Topic is to therefore explore bee health and bacterial infections which impact them, through a series of research articles focused on various aspects of the health of honey bees. We welcome research on different levels of the bee organization including molecular health, microbial health, and bee interactions with invasive species that live in close contact with the bee population. Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews and Mini Reviews are welcomed.
We are especially interested in topics on but not limited to the following sub-themes:
1. Bacterial infections and pathogenesis in honey bees and its implications
2. Viral diseases in honey bees and their implications
3. Nosemosis in honey bees and its implications
4. Pathogens spillover from honey bees to other insects