Impact of Honey Bee Migratory Management on Pathogen Loads and Immune Gene Expression is Affected by Complex Interactions With Environment, Worker Life History, and Season

• DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieab096
• Publication Date: 2021-11-10T04:38:11Z
• Authors: Michael Simone-Fi...; Micheline K Strand; David R Tarpy; Olav Rueppell
• Keywords: Animals; Gene Expression; Seasons; Bees; Beekeeping; 3. Good health

The effects of honey bee management, such as intensive migratory beekeeping, are part the ongoing debate concerning causes colony health problems. Even though comparisons disease and pathogen loads among differently managed colonies indicate some effects, direct impact practices on pathogens is poorly understood. To test long- short-term impacts migration immunity, experimental were maintained with or without movement. Individuals that experienced juveniles (e.g., larval pupal development), adults, both compared to control remained stationary therefore did not experience relocation. Samples at different ages life-history stages (hive bees foragers), taken beginning end active season, analyzed for physiological markers health. Bees exposed management during adulthood had increased levels AKI virus complex (Acute paralysis, Kashmir bee, Israeli acute paralysis viruses) decreased antiviral gene expression (dicer-like). However, those in adults elevated gut parasites (i.e. trypanosomes). Effects environment juvenile development more interacted stage season. Age collection, stage, season all influenced numerous factors from viral load immune expression. Although we examined independent, results illuminate potential nonmigratory beekeeping likely contribute stress, also mitigation measures.