Bumblebees identified as key carriers of deadly bee paralysis virus

A new study published in the journal Ecology Letters reveals that the Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) can spread between different species of pollinators, challenging previous scientific assumptions.

Researchers from the Universities of Halle and Göttingen conducted a large-scale field study analyzing 1,725 bees of various species. The findings indicate that while honeybees are the primary carriers for Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), the buff-tailed bumblebee acts as a central host and “silent carrier” for ABPV.

This cross-species transmission highlights how different insects in a pollinator community can facilitate the spread of deadly diseases, impacting the health of honeybee populations.