Document Type
Research Paper
Publication Date
Spring 2019
Abstract
The honey bee population is declining from the onset of a disorder known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which has been associated with climate change, increase use of insecticides, and parasite/viral communication. Much focus has been directed towards the communication between RNA viruses with the honey bee parasite Varroa destructor and their relationship to haemolymph levels in emerging worker bees, but their association with DNA viruses has been neglected. The study proposed is to closely observe whether parasite burden in combination with reduced haemolymph levels could increase viral replication of DNA virus AmFV in emerging honey worker bees. Since, haemolymph houses the cells and proteins needed for proper immune response, the predicted outcome is that a significant increase of viral replication will be present in the emerging workers despite the virus mechanisms for replication are DNA based instead of RNA based.
Recommended Citation
Liggon, Rex, "Observing the Cooperation of Varroa Destructor and DNA Virus AmFV in the Onset of Colony Collapse Disorder in Emerging Apis mellifera" (2019). Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry. 41.
https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/rci_spring/41
Comments
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Amorette Barber