UNASSIGNED: Pathogens and parasites may facilitate their transmission by manipulating host behavior. @entity5157 pathogens and pests need to be transferred from one colony to another if they are to maintain themselves in a host population. Inter-colony transmission occurs typically through @entity5157 workers not returning to their home colony but entering a foreign colony ("drifting"). Pathogens might enhance drifting to enhance transmission to new colonies. We here report on the effects infection by ten @entity5157 viruses and Nosema spp., and Varroa mite @entity277 on @entity5157 drifting. Genotyping of workers collected from colonies allowed us to identify genuine drifted workers as well as source colonies sending out drifters in addition to sink colonies accepting them. We then used network analysis to determine patterns of drifting. Distance between colonies in the apiary was the major factor explaining 79% of drifting. None of the tested viruses or Nosema spp. were associated with the frequency of drifting. Only @entity277 with Varroa was associated with significantly enhanced drifting. More specifically, colonies with high @entity277 had a significantly enhanced acceptance of drifters, although they did not send out more drifting workers. Since Varroa-infested colonies show an enhanced attraction of drifting workers, and not only those infected with Varroa and its associated pathogens, @entity277 by Varroa may also facilitate the uptake of other pests and parasites.

Parasites and Pathogens of the @entity5157 ( XXXX ) and Their Influence on Inter-Colonial Transmission.

@entity5157 :: ('7460', 'Species') :: ['honeybee', 'Honeybee'] @entity277 :: ('MESH:D013984', 'Disease') :: ['colony infestation', 'Varroa infestation', 'infestation']
@entity5157 :: (7460,Species) :: ['Apis mellifera']
