Honeybee Populations Could Be Wiped Out Worldwide By Wing Virus

The global bee population could be endangered by a newly discovered deadly virus, a leading scientist has warned.

Professor Dr. Robert Paxton from Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg (MLU) in the German city of Halle, Lower Saxony, warns that the latest variant of the Deformed Wing Virus has the potential to wipe out honeybee populations all over the world.

Paxton heads the university's General Zoology. The renowned expert on honeybee and wild bee diseases warned: "The Deformed Wing Virus is arguably the biggest threat to honey bees right now. Our lab research has shown that the new, highly contagious variant is killing bees faster."

The virus variant, which causes serious damage to the insects' wings before killing them eventually, has been detected by an international group of researchers who have been analyzing virus variants over the past 20 years.

The new variant of the virus is spread by varroa mites which are widely considered one of the biggest threats to honeybees in the world. These mites invade hives and reproduce by laying eggs on pupa.

Paxton warned: "Mites don't just spread viruses. They also eat bee pupa."

If not detected and treated early on, the mite population may increase to such an extent that the hive will succumb to the diseases and deformities caused by the mites.

The latest research at the MLU has revealed that the new variant has already replaced its predecessor in Europe - and is quickly spreading in other regions.

Scientists at the MLU have examined 3,000 different sets of data to determine which regions are already affected by the new variant.

Paxton explained: "Our analysis confirms that the new variant is already the dominating force in Europe. We fear that it's just a matter of time before it will have forced its way all over the world."

The new variant, called DVW-B, was first detected in Europe and Africa in the early years of this millennium. It started spreading in North and South America in 2010. In the year 2015, DVW-B reached Asia.

Paxton said the new variant has settled on all continents except Australia. The zoologist explained that the varroa mite's failure to establish itself there to a wider extent could be the reason.

The scientist added: "Basic, general hygiene measures for the hive are paramount for beekeepers when it comes to protecting their colonies from the varroa mite."

He underlined: "Bees are the most important creature for mankind and the environment."

Before joining the MLU, Paxton had an assignment as a lecturer and reader in Insect Ecology at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, between 2003 and 2010. He previously also researched at scientific institutions in Wales, Sweden and Mexico.

Honeybees are social flying insects known for their construction of perennial colonial nests from wax, the large size of their colonies, and surplus production and storage of honey.

Only eight surviving species of honeybee are recognized, with a total of 43 subspecies. However, honeybees represent just a small fraction of the roughly 20,000 known species of bees.

The best-known honey bee is the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), which has been domesticated for honey production and crop pollination. The only other domesticated bee is the eastern honeybee (Apis cerana), which occurs in South Asia.

The varroa mite, excessive usage of insecticides, construction projects and one-crop agriculture are considered the major threats to the existence of honeybees.

This story was provided to Newsweek by Zenger News.