?From catch the Buzz...
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Dr. Joseph DeRisi, UCSF - - presented the results from his study of a migratory 
bee operation over the course of a year.  Weekly samples were taken to 
determine the biodiversity of pathogens in the samples.  Utilizing pathogen 
microarray and ultra deep sequencing technology, DeRisi and his team that 
includes graduate student Charles Runckel and Dr. Michelle Flenniken discovered 
pathogens never before found in honey bees.  These include four new viruses, a 
protozoan, a bacteria and a tiny fly.  Those viruses have been named Lake Sinai 
Virus 1 and 2, Aphid Lethal Paralysis Virus-Brookings, and Big Sioux River 
Virus.  The Lake Sinai viruses are distantly related to Chronic Bee Paralysis 
Virus (CBPV).  ; The Aphid Lethal Paralysis Virus-Brookings and the Big Sioux 
River Virus are novel Dicistroviruses.  He also found Crithidia mellificae, a 
protozoan parasite that peaked in the winter colony samples, bacteria 
identified as Spiroplasma, and the phorid fly.  DeRisi called the phorid fly, 
"Honey bees' worst nightmare" because these tiny flies deposit their eggs in 
the abdomen of the bee.  The larvae feed on hemolymph and tissues of the head, 
altering the bee's behavior.  The bees leave the hive and do not return, thus 
it is difficult to find phorids within the colony itself.  DeRisi will complete 
his analysis, no doubt find more novel pathogens, and publish complete results 
soon.
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Does anyone have any insights or comments?

Are there similar studies from other countries? 

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