Journal
BIOLOGY LETTERS
Volume 11, Issue 9, Pages -Publisher
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0610
Keywords
pathogen; virus; invasive ant; honeybee (Apis mellifera); spillover
Categories
Funding
- Victoria University
- MBIE
- RSNZ James Cook Fellowship
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When exotic animal species invade new environments they also bring an often unknown microbial diversity, including pathogens. We describe a novel and widely distributed virus in one of the most globally widespread, abundant and damaging invasive ants (Argentine ants, Linepithema humile). The Linepithema humile virus 1 is a dicistrovirus, a viral family including species known to cause widespread arthropod disease. It was detected in samples from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Argentine ants in New Zealand were also infected with a strain of Deformed wing virus common to local hymenopteran species, which is a major pathogen widely associated with honeybee mortality. Evidence for active replication of viral RNA was apparent for both viruses. Our results suggest co-introduction and exchange of pathogens within local hymenopteran communities. These viral species may contribute to the collapse of Argentine ant populations and offer new options for the control of a globally widespread invader.
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