| Aim of the project “Zukunft Biene 2” is a stable honeybee population in Austria in order to ensure sufficient pollination for crop plants and honey harvest in Austria. Its goals are the improvement of bee health and reduction of winter losses of honey bee colonies. It will increase knowledge about reasons for winterlosses in Austria, which is necessary to improve mitigation strategies.
The goal of module A is the reduction of winter losses of bee colonies due to viral infections. It plans to determine the prevalence of the most important bee viruses in Austria and their impact on overwintering success. Bee samples will be taken from about 200 apiaries all over Austria in September 2018, 2019 and 2020. These bee samples will be analysed for seven bee viruses qualitatively and quantitatively (Acute bee paralysis virus, Black queen cell virus, Chronic bee paralysis virus, Deformed wing virus, Israel acute paralysis virus, Kashmir bee virus, Sacbrood virus). In the following spring the winter losses of the sampled colonies will be reported by the beekeepers. This will allow testing for correlations between viral infections and winter losses in the sampled apiaries.
In module U we will extend our knowlegde on winter losses of honey bee colonies to four more years. The data collected using internationally scientific standards allows comparability with other Europen countries and a solid scientific evaluation of the current situation. Every year we will collect data on more than 5% of the honey bee colonies wintered in Austria plus accompanying information on hive management and beekeepers' motivation. We will provide annual winter loss rates and detailed risk analysis.
Module V:
The diagnostic of honeybee virus infections is largely based on RT-PCR protocols, which are time consuming, expensive and highly specific for certain virus variants. Modul V aims at generating reliable serological reagents for the diagnostic of honeybee viruses. Already existing monoclonal antibodies against DWV will be tested in different ELISA systems to establish high-throughput laboratory tests and lateral flow on-site kits for beekeepers. Using purified viruses and recombinant proteins, novel monoclonal antibodies will be generated against SBV and ABPV for the development of comparable diagnostic assays. The precise and cost effective diagnostic of virus infections will help to prevent colony losses. |