Prevalence and intensity of honey bee (Apis mellifera) viruses in six regions of the state of Jalisco, Mexico

Jalisco is one of the foremost honey-producing states in Mexico. However, there is no information on viral diseases that affect honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the different beekeeping regions of the state. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of four viral diseases of Apis mellifera during the spring, in six regions of Jalisco. Bee samples from 79 colonies were analyzed, of which, 66 % and 38 % were positive for black queen cell virus (BQCV) and deformed wing virus (DWV), respectively. Two viral diseases were not detected, those caused by the Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) and the chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV). The infection levels of BQCV were relatively low but elevated for DWV, with infection intensities 8,000 higher than those of BQCV. The prevalence of DWV was significantly higher in the regions of the Highlands, Center, and South, while for BQCV there were no differences between regions. For infection intensity, there were no differences between regions for DWV, but there were for BQCV. The regions with the highest infection levels were the South and Center. Surveys during other seasons of the year are recommended to identify possible seasonal viral effects on the bees and to design control strategies. © 2024 INIFAP-CENID Parasitologia Veterinaria. All rights reserved.