Publications by authors named "Abby L Levitt"
Few areas of the world have western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies that are free of invasive parasites Nosema ceranae (fungi) and Varroa destructor (mites). Particularly detrimental is V. destructor; in addition to feeding on host haemolymph, these mites are important vectors of several viruses that are further implicated as contributors to honey bee mortality around the world.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere are a number of RNA virus pathogens that represent a serious threat to the health of managed honey bees (Apis mellifera). That some of these viruses are also found in the broader pollinator community suggests the wider environmental spread of these viruses, with the potential for a broader impact on ecosystems. Studies on the ecology and evolution of these viruses in the arthropod community as a whole may therefore provide important insights into these potential impacts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Overall honey bee populations are declining due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), with RNA viruses emerging as a significant threat among pathogens contributing to this issue.
- Recent studies reveal that these viruses, previously detected in honey bees, can also be found in pollen and other non-Apis hymenopteran pollinators, indicating a broader environmental spread.
- Molecular detection of several picorna-like RNA viruses in pollen pellets suggests that pollen may serve as a medium for contaminating both bees and their larvae, highlighting the potential ecological impact on pollinator communities.