MARCH | APRIL 2016
Almond Facts
33
point, we don’t know a lot about the virulence of type C.
Martin and his coworkers have found no synergistic effect
between the widespread microsporidian parasite,
Nosema
ceranae,
and Varroa. Understanding the variants of DWV
and their interactions with other pathogens brings us one
step closer to understanding the unsustainable colony losses
beekeepers suffer. Further, is it too far-fetched to think that
when bees are in California for almond pollination – and
that’s most of the nation’s managed colonies – that we
could inoculate them with DMV type B and thus prevent
their demise by the virulent DMV type A?
Other virus-related research
We asked bee virus expert Dr. Michelle Flenniken from
Montana State University to explain more about the
relationship between Varroa, viruses and bee health, and
she mentioned interesting recent studies that indicate the
Varroa mite has altered the types of virus strains being
transmitted to the honey bee. There is also research that
draws a connection between agrochemical stress (for
instance, exposure to neonicotinoids) and increased viral
Honey bee with Deformed Wing
Virus (photo by Rob Snyder,
beeinformed.org)
Good honey bee nutrition, particularly
diverse pollen sources, can help honey
bees fight pests and pathogens like
Varroa and Deformed Wing Virus
