A qPCR assay for sensitive and rapid detection of African A-lineage honey bees (Apis mellifera)

A real-time qPCR assay was designed to detect African-derived subspecies of western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). The probes targeted the same region mitochondrial cytochrome b gene used in previous restriction enzyme assays. Using samples from 16 A. representing four lineages, we evaluated efficacy this identify African- (or A-lineage) and non-A-lineage bees. successfully differentiated A-lineage bees, including m. scutellata capensis, M-, C-, O-lineage subspecies. In conclusion, developed is useful for rapid detection areas where they are introduced, although it cannot be specific within A-lineage.