Detection of Three honeybee Viruses in Palestine using RT- PCR

الملخص

Honeybee viruses cause a serious problem that beekeepers suffer

persistently from, in Palestine. The presence of honeybee viruses is responsible,

with other factors for the recurrent apiary collapse. In the current research, adult

and immature bee samples collected from Jenin (1214) , Tulkarm (1016) and

Nablus (1032) districts were tested for three honeybee viruses using RT- PCR

and specific primers. Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) , Acute Bee Paralysis

Virus (ABPV) , and Sac Brood Virus (SBV) were detected in the collected

samples with different infection levels. The DWV was the predominant virus

infecting honeybees in the studied Palestinian territories. Infection frequencies

with this virus were 34 - 86% and 13 - 59% for adult bee workers and broods

respectively. ABPV was the second most virus attacking bee colonies in the

studied regions, followed by SBV. The maximum infections of adult bee

workers with ABPV was 22% whereas 18% infection was recorded for SBV.

The mixed infection with these viruses elucidates that they act together to

cause apiary failure. This is the first report of the detection of bee viruses in

Palestine using molecular techniques.