Research Brief: Virus transmission between bee species does not lead to new variants
June 17, 2025
A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota found transmission of viruses between different bee species did not lead to the formation of new virus variants.
Results of the study, published in Communications Biology, may be a rare bit of good news for bee pollinators, which have been in decline for over 25 years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Led by researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the study focused on three viruses: deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus and sacbrood virus. These are three known pathogens of the non-native Western honey bee, the most commonly kept by beekeepers and the most widespread bee species in the world.
Funding was provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Read more >
