Abstract
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•Para-crystalline arrays containing large numbers of viral particles are present in the antennae of symptomatic bees but not in asymptomatic bees.•Viral capsids accumulate in the basal regions of the antennal epithelium, close to the haemolymph.•There is an increase in membranous structures in the supporting cells surrounding the dendrites of DWV-symptomatic bees.•The anatomical integrity of infected areas is compromised which implies that antennae functioning could also be affected.
Varroa destructor and its associated viruses, in particular deformed wing virus (DWV), have been identified as probable causes of honey bee (Apis mellif era L.) colony losses. Evidence suggests that elevated DWV titres in bees could compromise sensory and communication abilities resulting in negative consequences for hygienic behaviour. As antennae play a central role in this behaviour, we compared antennal ultrastructure in DWV-symptomatic and asymptomatic bees. The results show that virus capsids accumulate in the basal regions of the antennal epithelium, close to the haemolymph. No virus particles were detected at the level of sensory sensilla, such as pore plates, nor within the sensory cell dendrites associated with these sensilla. However, membranous structures appeared to be more prevalent in supporting cells surrounding the dendrites of DWV-symptomatic bees. Para-crystalline arrays containing large numbers of virus particles were detected in the antennae of DWV-symptomatic bees but not in asymptomatic bees.