Impact of managed honey bee viruses on wild bees

• Over 24 viruses have been associated with managed honey bees.
• Many of these are also prevalent in wild bee species.
• Evidence suggests spill-over of viruses from honey bees to wild bee species.
• The impact of these viruses on wild bee species is poorly known.

Several viruses found in the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) have recently been detected in other bee species, raising the possibility of spill-over from managed to wild bee species. Alternatively, these viruses may be shared generalists across flower-visiting insects. Here we explore the former hypothesis, pointing out weaknesses in the current evidence, particularly in relation to deformed wing virus (DWV), and highlighting research areas that may help test it. Data so far suggest that DWV spills over from managed to wild bee species and has the potential to cause population decline. That DWV and other viruses of A. mellifera are found in other bee species needs to be considered for the sustainable management of bee populations.

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