Detection of deformed wing virus in Vespa crabro

Specimens of Vespa crabro L. queen were found to be infected by deformed wing virus (DWV). The abdomen and the thorax of asymptomatic and symptomatic wasps were positive for the virus by strand specific RT-PCR, indicating active replication. This finding confirms the ability of the virus to infect not only bees (Apoidea) but also wasps (Vespoidea) suggesting a possible transmission route by ingestion of infected honey bees by wasp’s larva. This is the first report concerning the detection of DWV in V. crabro. In the view of this finding the possibility of using naturally infected bees as a tool for the biological control of its predators is discussed.