First molecular detection of the presence of honey bee viruses in insects, Varroa destructor mites, and pollinated plants in an isolated region of Armenia

Background and Aim: Recently, viral diseases of honey bees (Apis mellifera) have presented an increasing threat to beekeeping. This study aimed examine the presence bee viruses in Apis non-Apis species, mite Varroa destructor, pollinated plants Armenia. Materials Methods: Sampling was performed Tavush Province, northeast Republic Armenia, from August November 2019. Overall, 200 A. mellifera bees, 50 V. destructor mites, 20 wasps were collected (corresponding three five 2–11 each investigated sample) homogenized for RNA isolation detection viruses. Ten taken plant, 2 g sample used homogenization. In case mellifera, Vespula germanica received percentages virus presence. Results: Six important (acute paralysis [ABPV], deformed wing [DWV], norovirus [ANV], Lake Sinai virus-2 [LSV-2], Big Sioux River [BSRV], filamentous [AmFV]) detected samples by polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that DWV, ANV, ABPV most common bees. All wasps, but LSV-2 ANV present almost all samples. Conclusion: destructor. Although is very it did not appear any indicates typically associated with also actively infecting wasps. data suggest survival can be source seasonal transmission addition, potentially serve as reservoirs Keywords: virus, reaction assay, plants,