Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper


Vol.30, Issue 3, 2024

Page Number: 1029-1036

PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF RNA VIRUSES AND VARROA DESTRUCTOR IN INDIGENOUS AND IMPORTED HONEYBEES IN THE AL-BAHA REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

Ali Ahmed Hroobi

Abstract

Honeybees pollinate agricultural and wild flora and offer indispensable products to humans. Beekeeping in Saudi Arabia faces significant challenges from pathogens and parasites. Therefore, this study evaluated the prevalence of the most common honeybee viruses and the Varroa destructor infestation rate in indigenous (Apis mellifera jemenitica) and imported (Apismellifera carnica) honeybees across the Al-Baha region in Saudi Arabia. This study detected deformed wing virus type A (DWV-A), Varroa destructor virus-1(VDV-1), black queen cell virus (BQCV), and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) in indigenous samples, while in imported samples, DWV-A, VDV-1, BQCV, ABPV, and chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) were detected. Sacbrood virus was not detected in any of the samples. DWV and BQCV were the most prevalent viruses in the indigenous and imported samples, while the least pervasive virus was CBPV. The present study reports the first detection of ABPV in Saudi Arabia. The average V. destructor infestation rates were 7.4 ± 1.4% for the indigenous honeybees and 14.6 ± 3.6% for the imported honeybees. This study provides new information on the prevalence of RNA viruses in indigenous and imported honeybee apiaries in Saudi Arabia. The information gained in this study will aid honeybee health policy in Saudi Arabia. Additional research is imperative to elucidate the risk determinants correlated with the occurrence of viral pathogens in honeybees and to comprehend their interrelation with other pathogenic entities, such as V. destructor.