First molecular detection of <i>Apis mellifera</i> filamentous virus (AmFV) in honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera)</i> 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.