Barroso Patricia, Reza-Varzandi Amir, Sardo Andrea, Pesavento Alberto, Allais Luca, Zanet Stefania, Ferroglio Ezio
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2 Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy; Department of Animal Health, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana, 24071, León, Spain.
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2 Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.
Environ Pollut. 2025 Feb 15;367:125571. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125571. Epub 2024 Dec 31.
Honeybee colony survival has significantly decreased in many countries over recent decades, which has been associated with multiple factors including pathogens, parasites, resource availability, and environmental stressors, with agricultural intensification playing a key role. This study assessed the effects of Varroa destructor mite infestation, viral prevalence and load, and agrochemical concentrations in the hive matrix on colony strength in two apiaries located in different agricultural contexts (intensive vs traditional) in Northwestern Italy from March to September 2021. The results revealed that colonies in the intensively managed area exhibited lower colony strength and higher mortality rates. Varroa destructor was found to interact with viruses, potentially increasing their effective virulence. Pesticide concentrations in hive matrices correlated with reduced colony strength, exacerbated by elevated pathogen loads. These findings highlighted the effects of agricultural chemicals together with pathogens on worsening bee health, raising urgent concerns for environmental management and regulatory policy.
近几十年来，许多国家的蜜蜂蜂群存活率显著下降，这与多种因素有关，包括病原体、寄生虫、资源可用性和环境压力源，其中农业集约化起着关键作用。本研究评估了2021年3月至9月期间，位于意大利西北部不同农业环境（集约化与传统农业）的两个养蜂场中，狄斯瓦螨侵染、病毒流行率和载量以及蜂巢基质中的农用化学品浓度对蜂群强度的影响。结果显示，集约化管理区域的蜂群表现出较低的蜂群强度和较高的死亡率。发现狄斯瓦螨与病毒相互作用，可能会增加病毒的有效毒力。蜂巢基质中的农药浓度与蜂群强度降低相关，病原体载量升高会加剧这种情况。这些发现凸显了农用化学品与病原体共同作用对蜜蜂健康恶化的影响，引发了对环境管理和监管政策的迫切关注。
