Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are among the top 3 agricultural animals in the world, pollinating a large number of useful and ornamental plants. This important ecosystem service is essential for sustainable, productive agriculture and for the conservation of non-agricultural ecosystems. Monitoring the health and vitality of honey bee colonies therefore plays a crucial role. In addition to numerous parasites and fungi (e.g. Varroa destructor and Nosema spp.), viruses (e.g. wing deformation virus DWV, acute bee paralysis virus ABPV, sacbrood virus SBV) also pose a major threat to the health and welfare of honey bees.

DWV can cause characteristic signs of disease (shrunken, flightless wings, reduced body size, discoloration in adult bees) triggered by stress (heavy infestation with V. destructor, lack of food, incorrect colony management).

SBV causes significant morphological changes in the brood (no pupation, sac-like accumulation of ecdysial fluid, discoloration from pearly white to pale yellow, dehydration after death in the form of a dark brown, boat-shaped scale). Adult bees develop an infection without recognizable signs of disease, which is only characterized by a reduced lifespan.

ABPV multiplies mainly in the pupae. Once activated (by mite infestation, bacterial infections, environmental pollution, chemicals, insecticides, etc.), the infection is characterized by rapidly progressive paralysis, tremors, inability to fly, gradual darkening and hair loss from the thorax and abdomen, and rapid death in adult bees.

Numerous studies indicate that there is a reciprocal relationship between the degree of infestation of V. destructor (parasitic Varroa mite) and certain viral diseases (especially DWV, ABPV, SBV). The Varroa mite serves as a virus reservoir and carrier of these viruses. This fatal combination is considered the main cause of winter losses! DWV shows the best correlation between the level of Varroa infestation and the viral load.

Direct virus detection on site using the FASTest^® BEE 3T is a quick and easy diagnostic tool for beekeepers to assess and contain these winter losses. If positive, prophylactic measures (e.g. Varroa control) can be initiated immediately.

• For reasons of hygiene, it is recommended that you wear disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment (protective clothing, possibly a face mask). Wash and disinfect your hands after completing the test.
• Label the sample material, sample tubes and corresponding test strips to ensure exact allocation.
• Use a new sample tube and new test strips for each test.
• The buffer solution contains low concentrations of toxic sodium azide as a preservative. Skin / eye contact and / or ingestion through the mouth / nose must be avoided at all costs.
• The sample material must be regarded as potentially infectious and must be disposed of in a bee-safe manner with the components of the test kit used after the test has been carried out.

Proof of:

• DWV, SBV, ABPV

Sample material:

• Bee

Test time/duration:

• 10-15 minutes

Storage:

• Room temperature (15-25°C)

Test procedure:

• Rapid test

MEGACOR Diagnostics GmbH
Lochauer street 2
6912 Hörbranz
Austria