Impact of deformed wing virus master variants (DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C) in managed honey bee colonies of Türkiye

Aim: This study aimed to determine the deformed wing virus (DWV) master variants in managed honey bee hives in Central Anatolia and the Mediterranean Regions of Türkiye. Also, the relationship of DWV genotypes circulating in the apiaries with clinical signs observed in honey bee hives was investigated. Materials and Methods: For this study, adult honey bees were collected from the same 25 hives in the spring-summer and autumn seasons of 2019 from the provinces of Aksaray, Isparta, Karaman, Konya and Nigde. DWV-specific nucleic acid and DWV genotypes were detected by DWV real-time RT-PCR assay and ABC assay, respectively. Results: Deformed wing virus infection was detected in each sampling season. While many colonies were without any clinical signs, in some of the apiaries where samples were collected, wing deformity, trembling, paralysis, swelling in the abdomen, loss of productivity, and dead bees were observed. The prevalences of DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C in adult honey bees were 62%, 82%, and 24%, respectively. The dominant genotype detected in bee hives was the DWV-B master variant (98%). Also, the virus load of the DWV-A master variant was high in all of the honey bee hives with wintering losses. Conclusion: In this present study, data on the current status of DWV master variants circulating in Turkey and their impacts on honey bee colonies are reported for the first time. Thus, it is thought that DWV, which causes yield losses at varying rates in every season of the year in Turkish bee hives, should be carefully monitored.