First molecular detection of Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) in honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Argentina

Abstract

Although many honey bee RNA viruses have been correlated with colony declines, little is known regarding the potential role of DNA viruses. Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) is a large double stranded DNA virus of honey bees and its prevalence and relationship with other parasites is poorly known. In the present work, we have described a high prevalence of AmFV in Argentinian apiaries, and a retrospective survey of archived honey bee samples revealed that AmFV has been present in Argentina since at least 2006. This is the first report involving AmFV in South America.