Deformed wing virus influences honey bee foraging preferences

Viruses are known to manipulate host behavior in ways that enhance their transmission. This can include altering host food selection by influencing foraging behavior, feeding preferences, or consumption rates. We wanted to determine whether viral presence influences honey bee foraging behavior by conducting a series of field-choice assays in an open foraging environment. Feeders containing either water, unaltered sucrose solution, or sucrose spiked with a low or high dose of deformed wing virus (DWV) were placed adjacent to an apiary of ~35 colonies. Forager recruitment and total consumption were recorded daily for each feeder, and the process was repeated for four consecutive days. Trials took place in October 2024 and March 2025 to assess potential seasonal effects. Honey bee foragers showed significantly higher recruitment and consumption at feeders containing the high dose of DWV across both seasonal trials. These results suggest that honey bees can detect viruses in a food source and may even be attracted to virus-laden resources. To identify potential drivers of this behavior, additional field trials were conducted and ruled out protein content from viral particles and pupal chemical cues from the virus extraction protocol as influencing factors. Our findings support the idea that DWV may manipulate host foraging behavior in ways that promote its own spread. However, further research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms and ecological consequences of this virus-induced behavioral change.