Vespa velutina newly-emerged and hunters (hornet workers caught during their predatory activity in front of the apiaries) were samples during the beekeeping season of 2017 in Liguria region (Italy) in order to check the possible infection of DWV.The total RNA extraction was performed for each specimen to evaluate the presence of replicative form of DWV. presence of DWV genome was evaluated and quantified by qPCR and a strand specific RT-PCR was performed to confirm the presence of replicative form of DWV genome. Replicative DWV was detected in both humetrs and newly- emerged specimens proving that DWV can infect the alien Asian hornet. Sequence analysis on DWV genome performed on positive samples, indicates high similarity (99%) with the world-wide distributed genetic variant, DWV type A. The infection rate of DWV in Asian hornets ranges from 33% (hunters) to 50%(Newly-emerged males and females). The infection of DWV in V. velutina suggests a role of this RNA virus in a possible natural re-equilibrium of te relationship between the prey (A. mellifera) and the aline predator (V. velutina).
Prey (honeybee) predator (yellow-legged hornet) spill-over of the bee pathogen DWV
CILIA, GIOVANNI;Mazzei M.;Forzan M.;Sagona S.;Giusti M.;Felicioli A.
2018-01-01
Abstract
Vespa velutina newly-emerged and hunters (hornet workers caught during their predatory activity in front of the apiaries) were samples during the beekeeping season of 2017 in Liguria region (Italy) in order to check the possible infection of DWV.The total RNA extraction was performed for each specimen to evaluate the presence of replicative form of DWV. presence of DWV genome was evaluated and quantified by qPCR and a strand specific RT-PCR was performed to confirm the presence of replicative form of DWV genome. Replicative DWV was detected in both humetrs and newly- emerged specimens proving that DWV can infect the alien Asian hornet. Sequence analysis on DWV genome performed on positive samples, indicates high similarity (99%) with the world-wide distributed genetic variant, DWV type A. The infection rate of DWV in Asian hornets ranges from 33% (hunters) to 50%(Newly-emerged males and females). The infection of DWV in V. velutina suggests a role of this RNA virus in a possible natural re-equilibrium of te relationship between the prey (A. mellifera) and the aline predator (V. velutina).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
