Context
New infectious diseases among bees threaten world’s economies
About Infectious Diseases in Honey bees:
- Pathogen Spillover: The transmission of pathogens (diseases) from managed honeybees (Apis mellifera) to wild pollinators when both share the same habitat. Managed bees can act as viral reservoirs and infect wild species.
- Spillback: The reverse transmission of pathogens from wild pollinators back to managed honeybees, potentially mutating and becoming more virulent, impacting bee health.
- Effects of Spillover and Spillback:
- Increased pathogen loads in wild pollinators, especially in shared habitats, leading to higher disease transmission.
- Disruption of wild bee health, leading to population declines.
- Potential mutations of viruses like the deformed wing virus and black queen virus in wild species that then affect honeybees.
Bee Species in India:
- Native Bee Species: India is home to over 700 bee species, including Asiatic honey bee (Apis cerana indica), giant rock bee (Apis dorsata), dwarf honey bee (Apis florea), and stingless bees (Trigona species).
- Western Honeybees: Introduced in India in 1983 to increase honey yield, these bees compete with indigenous species for resources.
- Thai Sacbrood Virus: The Thai sacbrood virus devastated Asiatic honeybee populations in South India in 1991-1992, with a re-emergence in 2021. This virus is one of the biggest threats to native bee species, killing bee larvae.
Bee Importance in Ecology:
- Ecological Functions:
- Bees are essential in pollination, which supports biodiversity and ensures the growth of crops and wild plants.
- They are crucial in maintaining ecosystem balance, contributing to soil health and nutrient cycling.
- Economic and Agricultural Benefits:
- Bees support agriculture by increasing crop yield and nutrient cycling in the environment.
- They help in food security and ensure the sustainability of agricultural practices.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
2. Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
