In order to investigate the possible infection of deformed wing virus (DWV) in the Asian hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax du Buysson, in 2017 hornet workers were sampled during their predatory activity in April/May (early-season) and July (midseason), while newly-emerged males and gynes were sampled in November (late-season). By strand specific RT-PCR replicative DWV was detected in workers sampled in July and in the newly-emerged specimens collected in November, proving that DWV can infect the Asian hornet. Sequence analysis of partial DWV genome indicates that the virus belongs to the worldwide diffused and less virulent genetic variant, DWV type A. This is the first report of DWV infection in Vespa velutina Lepeletier. This result suggests a possible role of this RNA virus in a natural re-equilibrium of the relationship between the prey (honey bee) and the predator (Asian hornet).
First detection of replicative deformed wing virus (DWV) in Vespa velutina nigrithorax
Maurizio MazzeiCo-primo
;Mario ForzanCo-primo
;Giovanni CiliaSecondo
;Simona Sagona;Antonio Felicioli
Ultimo
2018-01-01
Abstract
In order to investigate the possible infection of deformed wing virus (DWV) in the Asian hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax du Buysson, in 2017 hornet workers were sampled during their predatory activity in April/May (early-season) and July (midseason), while newly-emerged males and gynes were sampled in November (late-season). By strand specific RT-PCR replicative DWV was detected in workers sampled in July and in the newly-emerged specimens collected in November, proving that DWV can infect the Asian hornet. Sequence analysis of partial DWV genome indicates that the virus belongs to the worldwide diffused and less virulent genetic variant, DWV type A. This is the first report of DWV infection in Vespa velutina Lepeletier. This result suggests a possible role of this RNA virus in a natural re-equilibrium of the relationship between the prey (honey bee) and the predator (Asian hornet).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
