Solenopsis richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) alates infected with deformed wing virus display wing deformity with altered mobility

Abstract

Deformed wing virus (DWV) has long been identified as a critical pathogen affecting honeybees, contributing to colony losses through wing deformities, neurological impairments, and reduced lifespan. Since DWV also affects other pollinators, it poses a significant threat to global pollination networks. While honeybees have been the focal point of DWV studies, emerging research indicates that this RNA virus is not host-specific but rather a generalist pathogen capable of infecting a wide range of insect species, including other bee species such as bumblebees and solitary bees, as well as wasps and ants. This expands the potential impact of DWV beyond honeybees to broader ecological communities. The black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri, is an economically important invasive ant species. In this study, we describe deformed wing (DW) symptoms in S. richteri. DW alates were found in three of nine (33%) laboratory colonies. The symptoms ranged from severely twisted wings to a single crumpled wing tip. Additionally, numerous symptomatic alates also displayed altered mobility, ranging from an ataxic gait to an inability to walk. Viral replication of DWV was confirmed using a modified strand-specific RT-PCR. Our results suggest that S. richteri can be an alternative host for DWV, expanding our understanding of DWV as a generalist pathogen in insects. However, additional research is required to determine whether DWV is the etiological agent responsible for DW syndrome in S. richteri.