It has been
clear for several years that two major problems affecting honey bee health
are the increasing challenges posed by
viruses that are vectored by the Asian bee mite (Varroa destructor)1 and variants of an intestinal organism, Nosema
spp. The Apis Viral and Nosema
Mapping initiative proposes to map viruses and correlated Nosema loads
in a limited area of Florida using geographic information system (GIS)
technology and spatial statistical analysis.
A total of 60 honey bee samples from participating beekeepers
surrounding Tallahassee, Leon County Florida will be collected at two points in
time (Winter 2012 and Spring 2013).
be analyzed for viral presence (types and amount) in addition to Nosema spp. Load by BVS, inc. The geographic location for all samples
collected in addition to information on apiary size, queen source, etc. will be
collected from participating beekeepers submitting samples. They will also be
responsible for submitting follow-up information on the fate of hives that were
collected will be analyzed using spatial statistics to identify clusters of
viral types and Nosema loads in
relation to bee colony distance, density, and overall geographic relationship
in the landscape. The long-range goal of this project is to determine whether
this type of mapping can provide enough data and/or results to expand the
effort in the future. In addition, this project serves as a model for other
beekeeping organizations to pursue collective funding and data collection in
efforts to contribute to knowledge at broader geographic scales.
detection methods are now becoming much more available given new
technologies. A unique approach is the
Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS), pioneered by the U.S. military, but
now being used by civilian scientists in a number of disciplines. This invention analyzes the physical
properties of virus, virus-like and other nanometer (nm) particles to determine
a concentration, distribution and information for discrimination and
characterization of nanometer particles (1 nm equals one billionth of a
meter). The analysis can identify many
known virus types pathogenic to honey bees, as well as a new means for
detecting unknown and emerging viruses.
under direction of CEO David Wick screens for honey bee viruses using IVDS as
part of its business model 2.
Questions have been raised about the effectiveness of this screening and
its potential to determine the general status of a honey bee health. One is that some particles detected may not
be viruses at all, but other organisms.
Another is that screening does not identify any specific virus, but only
makes determination by particle size.
Finally, because there is no treatment for viruses, detecting and
mapping them is futile because it does not provide beekeepers any way to remedy
criticism centered upon the effectiveness of this screening above appears to be
incorrect. The technique has been
carefully vetted by the U.S. Army and a number of research papers have shown
contamination by other particles is extremely unlikely. The second is slowly being clarified. At the present time BVS reveals it can
identify seven specific viruses as part of its analyses and the number is
expected to increase. The viruses identified by the screening include: Chronic
Paralysis Virus, Black Queen Cell Virus, Sacbrood Virus, Acute Bee Paralysis
Virus, Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, Kasmir Virus, and Deformed Wing
Virus. Although no treatments for
viruses yet exist, there are continuing important advances in this field.3
challenge to honey bee health is the interactive effects of multiple pathogens
on colony health. In particular, viruses are known to interact with
microsporidia fungi (Nosema spp.) in
the honey bee gut. 4 Often called the “silent killer,” the fungus Nosema
apis is traditionally held responsible for untold colony losses because it is
often not detected by the beekeeper until it's too late.5 A new variant of this organism, Nosema
ceranae, has recently been detected making diagnosis and treatment for this
fungus more difficult. 6
Addition of Nosema spp.
screening by BVS provides another powerful indication of potential honey bee
colony health that can be spatially correlated with viral loads.
The Apis Viral and Nosema Mapping initiative proposes to map viruses and correlated Nosema
loads in a limited area of Florida using geographic information system (GIS)
technology:7 and spatial statistical
analysis. The long-range goal of this
project is to determine whether this type of mapping can provide enough data
and/or results to expand the effort in the future. In addition this project
serves as a model for other beekeeping organizations to pursue collective
funding and data collection in efforts to contribute to knowledge at broader
This is a
unique project deserving support for the following reasons:
1. No other integrated viral detection
technology exists comparable to that of BVS, Inc.
2. No maps have been developed showing
viral and correlated Nosema loads in a selected geographic area.
3. Participating beekeepers will share
the financial risk, resulting in a powerful incentive to collect data in a
reasonable and efficient way.
4. The data collection and display
technology developed will be unique, and provide a basis for further possible
developments in this area.
5. The total projected costs are
minimal for this kind of research project, with participating entities funding
a significant percentage of the cost.