The Unfortunate Issue:
The Unfortunate Issue Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD): the mysterious loss of large numbers of bees within a colony. Signs include: 1.) Hives with ample resources yet housing only queen bee and a few workers. 2.) No dead bees within or surrounding the hives. 3.) Death toll spikes in autumn and winter. 4.) Has been happening for the past 5 years .
The Many Possible Pathogens:
The Many Possible Pathogens Necropsy of the gut shows signs of a variety of RNA fragments as well as peptide counts from different diseases within symptomatic colonies that were studied. To list a few: Israeli acute p aralysis v irus (IAPV), Varroa destructor virus 1 (caused by a mite), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Iridescent virus (specific type IIV-6) and, Nosema cerenae .
The Dual Disadvantage`:
The Dual Disadvantage` Two of the most frequently found pathogens based on peptide counts was the microsporidia - Nosema cerenae and Chilo iridescent virus (IIV-6). Nosema cerenae is a parasitic basal fungus with a particular RNA make up. It has been recently found to be expanding it’s range. Chilo iridescent virus (IIV-6) is a part of the Iridoviridae family that has double stranded DNA.
Slide 5:
The Loss of Flight
The Main Perpetrator?:
The Main Perpetrator? Most of the evidence seems to point to IIV-6 and Nosema cerenae as partners in crime. However there is still proof of the effect of other viruses causing CCD symptoms that IIV-6 alone does not cause. Just as Nosema cerenae does not effect Honeybees so critically by itself. Yet there is evidence of the IIV family (mainly 6 & 24) creating huge losses (leaving them on the brink of collapse) in bee colonies in the U.S., India, and possibly Spain.
The Imaginable Solution…:
The Imaginable Solution… Since data suggests most strongly the work of both N. cerenae and IIV-6 the only plausible solution (so far) available is in gene regulation of N. cerenae . By feeding Honeybees ADP/ATP transporter genes that can shut down 4 specific genes within the parasite internal silencing occurs. Inhibiting it’s growth and reproduction.