Prospects for fighting against viruses in beekeeping

DOI 10.33861/2071-8020-2021-2-45-48

Komlatskiy V.I., Shevchenko A.A., Komlatskiy G.V., Averin V.V.

Summary. In recent decades, the importance of bees in pollination of entomophilous agricultural crops has increased significantly throughout the world. The yield of most crops depends on 20-40% from pollination by insects. Therefore, during the period of mass destruction of wild pollinators by plant protection products (herbicides, insecticides, etc.), the importance of honey bees as organized pollinators has increased. However, during the same period, a significant death of bees is observed in the world, which not only negatively affects productivity, but also threatens food security. Parasitic ticks Varroa destructor also cause significant damage to beekeeping. The authors of the article agree with the opinion of a number of researchers pointing out that these parasites contribute to the spread of the DWV virus (Deformed wing virus). The validity of this hypothesis is confirmed by the fact that in Australia, where is no Varroa tick on the whole continent, the DWV virus has not been detected and the facts of mass death of bees have not been recorded. Studies indicate that shoulder strain syndrome is observed in bee colonies infected with the Varroa tick. The mechanism of transmission and activation of viral infections has not yet been established and needs further study. However, the researchers found that bees, like other insects, use RNA interference (RNAi) as antiviral protection. A new stage in the fight against viral infections was the discovery by American scientists of the properties of the symbiotic bacterium of the intestines of bees for the induction of a eukaryotic RNA interference immune response. In the conditions of southern Russia, we carried out exploratory studies to test the antiviral drug in the form of a syrup containing virus-like dsRNA of the killer strain Sacharomyces. The strain was designed by empirical selection of biosynthesis conditions in order to display the killer properties of selected natural strains of yeast that inhabit certain flowering plants in the foothills of the Caucasus. Observations showed that visually determined in the field parasitic tick mite syndrome was completely absent. An active manifestation of the hygienic behavior of bees was noted. The use of acaricidal treatments was not required. Over the coming years, research will be continued with the goal of developing a methodology for preventing viral diseases of bees. Activation of social immunity by the example and with the help of honey bees through the mass application of therapeutic syrup for the production of royal jelly could develop a sustainable strategy for confronting human with new viruses.

Keywords: honey bee, varroatosis, virus, bee collaps, viral transmission routes, neonicotinoids, еп1:оторЫНс cultures, pollination, mites, RNA interference, virus protection, treatment, prevention.

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Author affiliation:

Shevchenko Aleksandr A., D.Sc. in Veterinary Medicine, Professor, Head of the Department of Microbiology, Epizootology and Virology of the Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T. Trubilin; 13, Kalinina st., Krasnodar, 350044; e-mail: chevchenkoalexandr@yandex.ru.

Komlatskiy Grigoriy V., D.Sc. in Agriculture, professor of the Department of Institutional economics and investment management of the Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T. Trubilin; 13, Kalinina st., Krasnodar, 350044; e-mail: gregwk@mali.ru.

Averin Vadim V., beekeeper; e-mail: vadimaverin@gmail.com.

Responsible for correspondence with the editorial board: Komlatskiy Vasiliy I., D.Sc. in Agriculture, Professor, Head of the Department of Private livestock and pig breeding of the Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T. Trubilin; 13, Kalinina st., Krasnodar, 350044; phone: 8-988-2422789; e-mail: kubanagro@list.ru.