Evidence of presence and replication of honey bee viruses among wild bee pollinators in subtropical environments.

We determined the presence of six viruses in different bee species collected in subtropical environments. Deformed wing virus (DWV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV) were detected in >90% of honey bee samples and in 50-100% of four stingless bee, two bumble bee and one solitary bee species. Additionally, minus DWV and BQCV RNA strands were detected, indicating that the viruses replicate in several hosts. This is the first report of honey bee viruses replicating in six wild bee species in the tropics. If pathogenic to them, viral infections could result in negative impacts in agricultural and unmanaged ecosystems.