PROJECT NAME:
Diagnosis of common viral and parasitic diseases in honey bees and the development and implementation of management programs to prevent bee deaths and increase the production of hygienic bee products
PROJE COORDINATOR:
Prof. Dr. Yakup YILDIRIM
PROJECT SUBJECT:
In recent years, despite significant strides made globally toward an industrial society, it is clear that agriculture and animal husbandry remain indispensable. It is crucial for our country to keep pace with this era while maintaining its identity as a self-sufficient nation, without drifting away from its agricultural and livestock heritage.
Beekeeping is not land-dependent and provides an alternative source of income for families with little or no land, while utilizing underemployed labor within the family, thereby increasing individuals' employment and income levels. It can generate significant profits with minimal capital investment and, once established, can be operated for a long time. It does not require land, water, fertilizers, operational facilities, tractors, or the labor to operate them.
Considering Turkey's rural economic conditions and its ecological richness, sustainable, organized, and conscious beekeeping should be recognized as an agricultural activity that must be widely promoted and developed.
As a branch of animal husbandry, beekeeping is one of the alternative and low-cost occupations. The honey production per hive from beekeeping in the Burdur region is significantly higher than the amount of honey obtained per hive in many other provinces. Therefore, it is crucial to combat diseases to protect the health of honey bees and ensure the continuity of colonies, as well as to implement disease management programs.
Within the scope of the project, large beekeeping enterprises that are members of the "Burdur Province Beekeepers' Association" and small family beekeeping enterprises in villages will be involved.
• Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)
• Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV)
• Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV)
• Exist of Varroa parasites
Efforts will be made to take the necessary measures to prevent bee losses due to these infections. Additionally, this study will investigate the presence, prevalence, and distribution rate of the Varroa parasite in honey bee colonies in the Burdur region. As part of the project, beekeepers will be informed, and practical training will be provided on treatment and protective measures, enabling the development of strategies to combat the Varroa parasite.
•Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) Disease: Deformed wing virus is one of the most commonly found viruses affecting honey bees worldwide. Varroa destructor is the primary vector of the deformed wing virus. A study conducted in Australia found that this virus was not detected in colonies without Varroa. Previous studies have indicated that DWV shortens the lifespan of adult worker bees during winter and that DWV infection leads to serious problems when infested by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. The parasite obtains the virus from infected bees and transmits it while feeding on another bee. DWV can spread in honey bee colonies both vertically and horizontally. Vertical transmission occurs through the sperm of male bees and the eggs of the queen bee. Horizontal transmission takes place through larval food. Studies conducted in Turkey have reported the presence of deformed wing virus, with approximately 50% of queen-rearing colonies being infected with this virus. The disease is more frequently observed in the autumn and winter seasons.
Clinical signs of the disease include: bee deformities, malformed extensions (wrinkled/stunted wings), shortened abdomens, weight loss, likely a reduction in lifespan, and consequently irregular brood and decreasing bee populations. The virus has also been found in the fat bodies of affected bees. Fat bodies produce vitellogenin (egg protein), which plays a role in the development of eggs in queen bees. Therefore, the development of eggs in infected queen bees may be weak and contaminated. It has been reported that the virus causes morphological deformities in honey bees, leading to their death and resulting in highly destructive effects on the bees.
Due to the frequent occurrence of this disease in bees and the virus's ability to spread both vertically and horizontally, combating the infection in bee colonies is quite challenging. Effective parasite control is crucial for prevention.
• Black Queen Cell Virus Disease: Black queen cell virus is one of the most prevalent honey bee viruses, following deformed wing and sacbrood viruses (approximately 80%) (Tapaszti et al., 2009). This virus is the etiological agent of a fatal disease affecting queen bee larvae and pupae, characterized by the presence of dead and dark-colored pupae found in sealed brood cells where the queen pupae are located.
In the epidemiology of black queen cell virus, Nosema apis parasites serve as a vector. Additionally, transmission can occur through feeding or via contaminated food. Due to geographical distribution in Europe, it is widely believed that there is high genetic diversity of the virus. In Turkey, black queen cell disease is commonly found. Consistent with the epidemiology observed in other countries, a higher positivity rate has been detected in adult bees (53%) compared to larvae (33%).
The disease exhibits distinct clinical signs. Black queen cell disease, one of the most common yet least understood honey bee pathogens, causes high titers of blackening and death in queen larvae and pupae. Affected brood initially shows a yellow color with a bag-like soft skin appearance. The virus causes diarrhea in adult bees, while it proliferates rapidly in pupae, leading to the death of the brood. It is observed that dead brood in the cells turns dark, taking on a brown to black appearance. Additionally, blackening is seen on the cell walls of larvae and pupae. Infected adult worker bees do not show any clinical signs.
Due to the particular association of black queen cell disease with the Nosema parasite, controlling this parasite is crucial for managing the disease.
• Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) Disease: Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) is transmitted from infected adult bees, which show no symptoms, to developing larvae in larval jelly (bee bread) or to pupae and larvae via Varroa vectors. The longer the Varroa parasite feeds, the higher the amount of virus transmitted. Infection during the pupal stage results in death. The virus in developing bees can lead to the collapse of a colony, causing the colony affected by ABPV to perish during the same period.
The natural host of acute bee paralysis virus is Apis mellifera. However, the virus can also infect Bombus bees. Acute bee paralysis disease typically appears at the end of summer but can also be observed in the autumn. The infection is widespread globally, particularly common in Europe, where it causes significant losses.
While this virus can infect both adult and young bees, the disease symptoms are typically observed in adults. High doses of the virus lead to deaths during the larval stage. However, larvae infected with low doses of the virus can continue to develop into adult bees. In this case, a subclinical infection persists, and disease symptoms may develop when they reach adulthood. Symptoms and deaths associated with acute bee paralysis more frequently occur in colonies infected with the Varroa parasite. In adult bees infected with acute bee paralysis virus, paralysis and tremors appear after an incubation period of 5-6 days. Gradually, some bees may exhibit darkening of color and loss of hair. Non-flying bees die within 1-2 days. Sometimes, the infection can be observed in individual cases without being noticed throughout the entire colony. There is no specific treatment method for acute bee paralysis disease. Due to its typically subclinical nature, the elimination of infected colonies is not a practical method.
Although acute bee paralysis disease is widespread worldwide, it is particularly prevalent in Europe and causes significant losses. Detailed data regarding the frequency of the disease in Turkey is not available.
• Varroa Disease: Varroa, an important pest of honey bees, is a parasite that attacks both adult and young bees, feeding on their hemolymph. If the number of Varroa mites in a cell is 2 or fewer, it can reduce the bee's vitality. However, when the number reaches 3 or more, it leads to shortened lifespan in adult bees, loss of wings, shortened abdomens, deformities in wings and legs, loss of body weight, reduced sperm production in male bees, and lethargy in brood rearing. It is a significant mistake to consider Varroa solely as a standalone threat. Many viral pathogens are transmitted by Varroa, with the most common being the deformed wing virus, acute bee paralysis virus, cloudy wing virus, Kashmir bee virus, and slow bee paralysis virus. The first reported case of Varroa in Turkey dates back to 1977.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
In the Burdur region, a large majority of the population earns their livelihood through animal husbandry. Due to the proximity of the region to major tourism centers and metropolitan areas, as well as the ease of transportation, the marketing of animal products can be easily achieved. In this context, it is clear that there is agricultural and animal husbandry potential that exceeds the existing capacity.
Beekeeping, a branch of animal husbandry, is one of the alternative and low-cost occupations. The honey yield per hive obtained from beekeeping in the Burdur region is significantly higher than the average yield per hive in many other provinces. Therefore, it is crucial to combat diseases and implement disease management programs to ensure the health of honey bees and the continuity of colonies.
The Burdur region has a suitable climate and flora for beekeeping. According to TUİK 2016 data, there are 622 beekeeping enterprises in Burdur, with 43,352 hives, producing 511 tons of honey and 50 tons of beeswax, yielding an average of 11.8 kg per hive (TUİK, 2018 *TEPGE calculations). In beekeeping, viral diseases of honey bees significantly increase costs due to the resulting loss of productivity. The lack of treatment for viral diseases leaves beekeepers feeling helpless. Additionally, viruses can sometimes be hard to detect or not noticeable at all, but they can weaken the immune system, laying the groundwork for parasitic, bacterial, and fungal infections, which are potentially very dangerous infectious agents.
Within the scope of the project, the presence and prevalence of deformed wing virus (DWV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) infections will be investigated in large beekeeping enterprises that are members of the "Burdur Province Beekeepers Association" and in small family beekeeping operations in villages. Necessary measures will be taken to prevent honey bee losses related to these infections.
This study will also investigate the presence, prevalence, and distribution rate of the Varroa parasite in honey bee colonies in the Burdur region. At the same time, beekeepers will be informed, and practical training will be provided regarding treatment and protective measures to develop strategies for combating the Varroa parasite.
As part of the research, seminars will be held for businesses involved in beekeeping associated with the Burdur Province Beekeepers Association, discussing honey bee husbandry and diseases. Protection methods to reduce honey bee and colony losses associated with these diseases will be explained, and combat techniques will be taught in the presence of the diseases, creating awareness in the businesses about these diseases. The study aims to protect the health of honey bees and colonies, ensuring the production of hygienic animal products while reducing treatment costs and productivity losses. Additionally, efforts will be made to create the necessary conditions for certified/licensed honey production, and technical tours will be organized for beekeeping enterprises in other regions of our country that have obtained certification. This will standardize honey production and quality in our region, empowering producers in the market. This study will also serve as a stepping stone for small businesses towards branding.
The research aims to reduce/prevent the diseases of honey bees and colonies caused by these viral and parasitic agents, contributing significantly to ecological balance, public health, and the national economy. This research, which serves as preliminary work on using bee breeds resistant to parasites and viral agents, will provide valuable results for bee businesses and honey production.
REGIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROJECT:
Within the scope of the research, seminars will be held for businesses engaged in beekeeping that are affiliated with the Burdur Province Beekeepers Association. These seminars will cover honey bee husbandry and diseases, explain protective methods to reduce honey bee and colony losses associated with these diseases, teach combat techniques in case of disease presence, and create awareness in the businesses regarding these diseases. The study aims to protect the health of honey bees and colonies, ensuring the production of hygienic animal products while reducing treatment costs and productivity losses.
Additionally, efforts will be made to establish the necessary conditions for certified/licensed honey production. Technical tours will be organized for beekeeping enterprises in other regions of our country that have obtained certification. This will standardize honey production and quality in our region while empowering producers in the market. This study will also serve as a stepping stone for small businesses towards branding.
The research aims to reduce/prevent diseases in honey bees and colonies caused by these viral and parasitic agents, contributing significantly to ecological balance, public health, and the national economy. This research serves as preliminary work on using bee breeds resistant to parasites and viral agents, and the results obtained will be highly beneficial for bee businesses and honey production.
SOCIETAL CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROJECT:
- The current status of viral and parasitic diseases in beekeeping enterprises affiliated with the Burdur Province Beekeepers Association will be assessed, and active control strategies will be developed along with a protection program.
- The quality and quantity of beekeeping in the Burdur region will be improved.
- Economic costs in beekeeping enterprises will be reduced, contributing added value to the economy.
- The study will contribute to the production of hygienic and efficient beekeeping products (honey, beeswax, royal jelly, bee venom, pollen, and propolis) in the region.
- Infrastructure will be established for a potential “Department of Beekeeping” and a “Beekeeping Development Research and Application Center” that our university may open in the future, and expert scientists will be trained.
- By working in coordination with the Burdur Province Beekeepers Association, collaboration between the university and the sector will be facilitated, allowing for the development of accurate and rapid solutions in the event of adverse situations in beekeeping enterprises.
- Scientific studies on viral diseases of honey bees in our country are exceedingly rare. Thus, upon completion of this project, it will contribute to the scientific literature of our country and the world in terms of scientific data.