Effects of Deformed Wing Virus-Targeting dsRNA on Viral Loads in Bees Parasitised and Non-Parasitised by Varroa destructor.

ABSTRACT: The Varroa destructor mite is a devastating parasite of honey bees; however the negative effects of varroa parasitism are exacerbated by its role as an efficient vector of the honey bee pathogen, Deformed wing virus (DWV). While no direct treatment for DWV infection is available for beekeepers to use on their hives, RNA interference (RNAi) has been widely explored as a possible biopesticide approach for a range of pests and pathogens. This study tested the effectiveness of three DWV-specific dsRNA sequences to lower DWV loads and symptoms in honey bees reared from larvae in laboratory mini-hives containing bees and varroa. The effects of DWV-dsRNA treatment on bees parasitised and non-parasitised by varroa mites during development were investigated. Additionally, the impact of DWV-d

SUBMITTER: Smeele ZE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10674661 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature