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Sexual transmission of deformed wing virus in honeybees

Joachim R. de Miranda1; Ingemar Fries2
1Queen's University Belfast, Biological Sciences, MBC, 97 Lisburn road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
2Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, POBox 7044, Uppsala, 750-07, Sweden

Deformed wing virus (DWV) infected semen was used for artificial insemination of DWV-free virgin queens. High titres of DWV could subsequently be detected not only in the spermatheca, but also in the ovaries, demonstrating venereal transmission of DWV in honey bees. Subsequent vertical transmission of the virus to the progeny of DWV infected queens was also demonstrated. Neither transmission route is 100% effective. Whether venereal transmission of DWV occurs during natural mating remains to be determined. The implications for the use, sale and transport of semen samples for artificial insemination are discussed.

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