Discovery of Aphid Lethal Paralysis Virus in <i>Vespa velutina</i> and <i>Apis cerana</i> in China

• Main Authors: Dahe Yang, Hongxia Zhao, Junming Shi, Xiang Xu, Yanyan Wu, Rui Guo, Dafu Chen, Xinling Wang, Shuai Deng, Sa Yang, Qingyun Diao, Chunsheng Hou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-06-01
• Series: Insects
• Subjects: <i>Vespa velutina</i>; <i>Apis cerana</i>; aphid lethal paralysis virus; virus vector; native pollinator
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/6/157

Honey bees are essential to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. However, despite no single factor being blamed for losses of honey bee colonies in Europe and the USA, viruses have been considered as a major driver. Moreover, a virus vector can enhance the titer and virulence of virus such as <i>Varroa destructor</i> can change the virulence of the deformed wing virus. Here, we report molecular evidence for aphid lethal paralysis virus (ALPV) infecting <i>Vespa velutina</i>, which is an important predator of honey bees, especially of <i>Apis cerana</i>. Viral replication and phylogenetic analysis indicated that ALPV can not only replicate in <i>V. velutina</i> and <i>A. cerana</i>, but ALPV from <i>A. cerana</i> (ALPV-Ac) was also significantly associated with that of <i>V. velutina</i> (ALPV-Vv), though distinct from those of <i>Apis mellifera</i> (ALPV-Am). The host state posterior probability displayed that <i>V. velutina</i> is the main viral reservoir between <i>V. velutina</i> and <i>A. cerana</i>. Our results show ALPV had expanded host diversity resulting in potential impacts on the health of pollinators, even on the pollination ecosystem. We suggest further studies should investigate potential risks and impacts on pollinator populations of hornets. These results should have an impact conservation efforts focused on sustaining native pollinator abundance and diversity, and therefore, the crucial ecosystem services that they provide.