Honeybee immunity and colony losses

Autori

  • F. Nazzi Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, Università di Udine
  • D. Annoscia Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, Università di Udine
  • E. Caprio Dipartimento di Agraria, Sez. BIPAF, Laboratorio di Entomologia E. Tremblay, Università di Napoli Federico II, Portici
  • G. Di Prisco Dipartimento di Agraria, Sez. BIPAF, Laboratorio di Entomologia E. Tremblay, Università di Napoli Federico II, Portici
  • F. Pennacchio Dipartimento di Agraria, Sez. BIPAF, Laboratorio di Entomologia E. Tremblay, Università di Napoli Federico II, Portici

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/entomologia.2014.203

Parole chiave:

honeybee colony collapse, immunity, Varroa destructor, DWV, neuroimmunity, neonicotinoids

Abstract

The decline of honeybee colonies and their eventual collapse is a widespread phenomenon in the Northern hemisphere of the globe, which severely limits the beekeeping industry. This dramatic event is associated with an enhanced impact of parasites and pathogens on honeybees, which is indicative of reduced immunocompetence. The parasitic mite Varroa destructor and the vectored viral pathogens appear to play a key-role in the induction of this complex syndrome. In particular, the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) is widespread and is now considered, along with Varroa, one of the major causes of bee colony losses. Several lines of evidence indicate that this mite/DWV association severely affects the immune system of honeybees and makes them more sensitive to the action of other stress factors. The molecular mechanisms underpinning these complex interactions are currently being investigated and the emerging information has allowed the development of a new functional model, describing how different stress factors may synergistically concur in the induction of bee immune alteration and health decline. This provides a new logical framework in which to interpret the proposed multifactorial origin of bee colony losses and sets the stage for a more comprehensive and integrated analysis of the effect that multiple stress agents may have on honeybees.

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Pubblicato

2014-10-10

Fascicolo

Sezione

Social insects and apidology

Come citare

Honeybee immunity and colony losses. (2014). Entomologia, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/entomologia.2014.203