recent work on DWV

DWV is a viral complex comprising at least three distinct genotypes or master variants—types A, B, and C — with significant variation often being present around each genotype. The original DWV genotype is now known as the DWV type-A master variant, which includes most previous DWV sequences and Kakugo virus. 

Owing to the phylogenetic clustering of the virus sequences and the frequently occurring homologous recombination, the DWV species complex has now been extended to include Varroa destructor virus-1 (VDV-1), which is now taxonomically assigned as part of the type-B clade and the most recently discovered type-C master variant.

The appearance of honeybees with deformed wings has long been used by beekeepers as an indicator of DWV in their colony; this rule of thumb was supported by Dainat & Neumann, who found that the number of deformed bees in the colony was a predictive marker of winter colony losses. Nevertheless, the vast majority of Varroa-infested, DWV-infected pupae do not go on to develop deformed wings.

Its main effect on the host is to reduce the life span of adults. This occurs in both adults that become infected by Varroa as pupae and adults that become infected after emergence. This reduction in honeybee life span on its own is sufficient to cause a colony to die during the overwintering period in temperate zones.

Deformed Wing Virus in Honeybees and Other Insects
Stephen J. Martin and Laura E. Brettell
Annu. Rev. Virol. 2019. 6:12.1–12.21

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