Viruses are omnipresent, yet the knowledge on drivers of viral prevalence in wild host populations
is often limited. Biotic factors, such as sympatric managed host species, as well as abiotic factors,
such as climatic variables, are likely to impact viral prevalence. Managed and wild bees, which harbor
several multi-host viruses with a mostly fecal–oral between-species transmission route, provide an
excellent system with which to test for the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on viral prevalence in
wild host populations. Here we show on a continental scale that the prevalence of three broad host
viruses: the AKI-complex (Acute bee paralysis virus, Kashmir bee virus and Israeli acute paralysis virus),
Deformed wing virus, and Slow bee paralysis virus in wild bee populations (bumble bees and solitary
bees) is positively related to viral prevalence of sympatric honey bees as well as being impacted by
climatic variables. The former highlights the need for good beekeeping practices, including Varroa
destructor management to reduce honey bee viral infection and hive placement. Furthermore, we
found that viral prevalence in wild bees is at its lowest at the extreme ends of both temperature and
precipitation ranges. Under predicted climate change, the frequency of extremes in precipitation and
temperature will continue to increase and may hence impact viral prevalence in wild bee communities.https://www.nature.com/srepdm2022Zoology and Entomolog
