.. rst-class:: bee-header Viruses ------- .. qa:: Are honey bee viruses increasing or decreasing? Increasing, largely due to transmission by `Varroa destructor`, which amplifies virus prevalence and virulence. .. qa:: What are symptoms of Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV)? * Hair loss (bees appear shiny and black) * Trembling or trembling wings * Disorientation and fighting behavior .. qa:: What are symptoms of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)? * Deformed or crinkled wings * Reduced body size * Often associated with Varroa infestation .. qa:: What are symptoms of Sacbrood? * Affects larvae, not adults * Larvae die in the pre-pupal stage with the head region often darkened * Infected larvae fail to pupate and form a fluid-filled sac It is not ropey like American foulbrood * Usually not fatal to the colony but weakens it .. qa:: What are symptoms of Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV)? * Causes rapid paralysis and death * Bees may appear hairless, shiny, and dark Also transmitted by Varroa * Can kill bees quickly, sometimes within days. .. qa:: What are symptoms of Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV)? * Similar symptoms to ABPV * Associated with trembling, disorientation, and paralysis * Has been linked to CCD in some studies. .. qa:: What are symptoms of Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV)? * Closely related to ABPV and IAPV * Usually remains at low levels but becomes deadly when Varroa is present * Causes rapid adult bee mortality. .. qa:: What are symptoms of Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV)? * Primarily affects queen larvae and pupae * Causes queen cells to turn dark or black * Often associated with Nosema infection. .. qa:: Key Takeaways? * Most honey bee viruses are present at low levels naturally * Varroa is the major driver turning viruses into serious diseases * Viral infections often overlap, making diagnosis difficult * Managing Varroa is the single most important step in reducing virus impact