Transmission of deformed wing virus (DWV) via imported honey

Summary

The arrival of Varroa destructor in Australia is a devastating blow to the beekeeping industry but by chance this did not introduce its deadly companion, Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). Maintaining strong biosecurity is critical to avoid worsening the impact of varroa mites on bee colonies. Future incursions of bees and mites are a high-risk pathway for viruses to enter Australia, but legal importations of bee genetic material and bee products are also a significant risk, despite some control measures in place. Pathogens including DWV can be spread to bees via honey. Recent studies have shown that DWV is detectable in imported commercial honey, but it is unknown if the detected DWV is viable for transmission to bee colonies.
In this project, the project team will quantify DWV levels in a range of imported commercial honeys and test the viability of DWV by injection and feeding experiments in bees within secure laboratory facilities. The expected outcomes of this research will be to provide a more complete picture of DWV risk pathways into Australia, which can be used by industry and government to ensure effective mitigation measures are in place.

Program

Honey Bee

Research Organisation

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Objective Summary

This project will investigate the risk of DWV transmission via imported honey. The major objectives are:
• Quantify DWV levels present in imported commercial honey
• Determine if imported commercial honey contains viable and transmissible levels of DWV