Chronic bee paralysis virus

[1] Chronic bee paralysis virus infection is a factor that can contribute to or cause the sudden collapse of honeybee colonies.

[2] Since honeybees serve a vital role in ecological resilience, it is important to understand factors and diseases that threaten them.

Specifically, research has identified that viral particles concentrate primarily in two centers of the brain to replicate after infecting the host.

[12] The parasitic mites attach themselves to honey bees externally and feed off of the hemolymph of their hosts.

Chronic bee paralysis virus particles have been found to concentrate in two centers; in mushroom bodies which play a role in sensory processing, memory, and learning as well as in the central body, which plays a vital role in coordinating movement.

Loss of flying ability in honey bees as a result of CBPV infection can be attributed to neuron destruction in the central body.

Erratic behavior in infected bees may be a result of mushroom body neuron destruction.

A Type I infected bee presents with a bloated abdomen due to a fluid-filled honey sac and weak or trembling wings.

Type I infected honey bees tend to crawl on the ground or cluster near the entrance of the hive, as their weakened wings lead to an inability to fly.

A Type II infected honey bee presents with complete abdominal hair loss, causing it to appear black and greasy.

The infected bee does not present with any of the classic symptoms of the disease before death, and, as a result, is able to transmit the virus beyond its own hive.

Slow bee paralysis virus is transmitted to hives through Varroa destructor mite infestations.