Viral Metagenomic Analysis and Behavioral Impact in Bees and Wasps Species in the State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 24/22776-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Paula Rahal
• Grantee: Paula Rahal
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fernando Barbosa Noll

Abstract

The biodiversity of the apifauna, encompassing over 20,000 described species, stands out as an essential component of global ecosystems. Brazil, as the second country with the largest number of cataloged bee species-approximately 2,000-plays a significant role in this diversity. Similarly, the country is notable for its wealth of eusocial wasp species, including 319 species from the Polistinae subfamily. Together, bees and wasps provide essential contributions to the pollination of a wide range of crops, as well as important nutritional (honey production by bees), economic, and in the biological control of agricultural pests (wasps). However, in recent decades, the biodiversity of these insects has faced increasing threats due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides, deforestation, global warming, and the emergence of pathogens, notably viruses. Interestingly, metagenomics represents a powerful technique that allows for comprehensive analysis of the viral genome present in biological and environmental samples, enabling the identification and study of various viruses in different bee and wasp species. In this context, the present research project aims to characterize the virome in bees and wasps through metagenomic techniques. Furthermore, it seeks to isolate viruses and study the effect of viral infection on host behavior. To this end, the project aims to describe the virome of stingless bees (i.e., Tetragonisca angustula Latreille, 1811) and wasps from subfamily Polistinae (Polybia paulista Ihering, 1896), present in beekeeping colonies and nests in the municipalities of Mirassolândia and São José do Rio Preto, both located in the northwest of São Paulo state. Initially, the pilot of this study consisted of RT-PCR screening for a set of pathogenic viruses frequently detected in these insects, with the exception of wasps, as there are no studies for this purpose. Preliminary results included the collection of 599 adult individuals (T. angustula, n=365; Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, n=47; P. paulista, n=187). Primers were used for the detection of the following viruses: Deformed Wing Virus (DWV); Black Queen Cell Virus; Israeli Acute Bee Paralysis Virus; Acute Bee Paralysis Virus; Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus; Kashmir Bee Virus; Sacbrood Virus. The results indicated amplification of products of the expected size (150 bp) for DWV in pools (54%) of T. angustula and P. paulista. Based on the 'viral signal' detected in the pools, they will be tested for metagenomic sequencing, with subsequent attempts at isolation and analysis of behavioral effects in response to viral infection. Understanding the interaction between viruses and their hosts is crucial for assessing the impact of these pathogens on the health of bees and wasps. In summary, the results obtained will provide valuable information that can assist in the conservation of apifauna and vespid biodiversity, contributing to the development of management strategies aimed at preserving these essential pollinators for ecosystems and agriculture. (AU)