Black queen cell virus detected in endemic African stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae)

Stingless bees are known in tropical and sub-tropical region of the world for their role in the survival of forest plants and in agriculture as they are effective pollinators. Moreover, several species produce medicinal honey and propolis that can be exploited economically. Despite their economic value, the knowledge of pathogens association with stingless bees, are unknown. However, eusocial stingless bees may harbour a wide range of pathogens which may play a beneficial or detrimental role to the colony. Here, we tested for the presence of honeybee pathogens in nine stingless bee species in Kenya across a gradient of sites with different degrees of conservation status. We sampled colonies in meliponaries in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus and at Kakamega forest in Western Kenya. We screened for seven common honeybee viruses and the microsporidian parasite Nosema spp applying molecular diagnostic methods. Black queen cell virus (BQCV) was the only honeybee diseases detected in four stingless bee species (Hypotrigona gribodoi, Meliponula bocandei, M. togoensis, and M. lendiliana). We show that three out of the four wild bee species harbour a different sub-type of BQCV. Our findings support the notion that stingless bees in their colony can host pathogens known in honeybee. Though, it remains an open question whether the pathogen has a detrimental effect on the stingless bee species.