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Upgrading knowledge on pathogens (particularly viruses) of Australian honey bees by John Roberts, Denis Anderson and Peter Durr October 2015 RIRDC Publication No 15/095 RIRDC Project No PRJ-008540 © 2015 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-832-6 ISSN 1440-6845 Upgrading knowledge on pathogens (particularly viruses) of Australian honey bees Publication No. 15/095 Project No. PRJ-008540 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to RIRDC Communications on phone 02 6271 4100. Researcher Contact Details Dr John Roberts CSIRO Clunies Ross Street Canberra ACT 2601 Phone: 02 6246 4019 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Electronically published by RIRDC in October 2015 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313 ii Foreword This research has delivered Australia’s first national survey of honey bee viruses and provides valuable monitoring of endemic pathogens. This knowledge is vital for protecting the biosecurity of Australia’s honey bee industry and addressing concerns from overseas markets that importing Australian honey bees could spread unwanted viruses that threaten their industries. This research is a key step in reestablishing the suspended United States market for Australian honey bees and for maintaining other export markets at risk. The Australian honey bee and pollination depended industries will benefit from this research through a better understanding of the pathogen landscape affecting honey bee health. There are also potential benefits to beekeepers that wish to export live honey bees through greater market access and security. This research found five viruses were common in Australian honey bees, but none of these are a concern to overseas export markets. The distribution of endemic pathogens was largely unchanged, although one pathogen had spread to new areas. Several of these established pathogens were highly prevalent throughout the survey and causing management issues for beekeepers. This research highlights the value of monitoring for biosecurity and pest and disease management. The current honey bee health status reported here should be protected and considered in policy development for importing new genetic stock. Multiple pathogens were also identified in this study that need improved management and should be prioritised as a valuable strategy for increasing industry productivity. This project was funded from industry revenue that is partially matched by funds provided by the Australian Government. This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 2000 research publications and it forms part of our Honey Bee and Pollination RD&E program, which aims to support research, development and extension that will secure a productive, sustainable and more profitable Australian beekeeping industry and secure the pollination of Australia’s horticultural and agricultural crops into the future on a sustainable and profitable basis. Most of RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313. Craig Burns Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments We greatly appreciate the assistance and enthusiasm of beekeepers and apiary officers that participated in this study. We especially thank Tiffany Bates, Casey Cooper, Russell Goodman, Daniel Jones, Rob Manning, Trevor Monson, Vicki Simlesa, Doug Somerville and Ian Zadow for their extra help with conducting the survey sampling. Lastly, we thank Saul Cunningham for reviewing this report and Dave Alden of RIRDC for his support as project manager. Abbreviations KI Kangaroo Island KUN Kununurra NSW New South Wales NT Northern Territory QLD Queensland SA South Australia TAS Tasmania VIC Victoria WA Western Australia BQCV Black queen cell virus IAPV Israeli acute paralysis virus LSV1 Lake Sinai virus 1 LSV2 Lake Sinai virus 2 SBV Sacbrood virus AFB American foulbrood EFB European foulbrood PCR Polymerase chain reaction FFD Freedom from disease NPV Negative predictive value iv Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary............................................................................................................................. vii Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Survey design .................................................................................................................................... 2 Sample collection .............................................................................................................................. 2 Analysis of adult bees and Nosema spore estimation ....................................................................... 3 Analysis of brood samples ................................................................................................................ 4 Next-generation RNA sequencing for virus detection ...................................................................... 4 Disease and management variables influencing the number of viruses ............................................ 4 Freedom from disease (FFD) analysis .............................................................................................. 4 Results ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Sampling level achieved ................................................................................................................... 6 Honey bee viruses detected in Australia ........................................................................................... 6 Regional differences in virus prevalence .......................................................................................... 8 Freedom from disease (FFD) analysis for SPV and DWV ............................................................... 9 Next-generation sequencing for virus detection ............................................................................. 11 Diversity of virus isolates in Australia ............................................................................................ 12 Nosema spp. prevalence in Australia .............................................................................................. 15 Brood diseases detected from hive inspections ............................................................................... 16 Pathogen profiles and associations with management .................................................................... 18 Implications .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Recommendations................................................................................................................................ 20 References ...........................................................................................................................................