Viral diversity in honeybees and bumblebees with and without Varroa presence

We used SMRT sequencing reads to data to determine viral composition and diversity across pollinator host species, geography and Varroa mite presence/absence. Varroa is a parasite specific to honeybees that vectors important multi-host viruses. We sequenced eight pools, these were Apis melifera and B. terrestris from four sites - two paired locations each comprising of a Varroa-free island and Varroa-present mainland site. SMRT sequencing enables the detection of full RNA viral assemblage, without bias towards known viruses from PCR and Sanger sequencing. SMRT sequencing also has the potential to sequence full viral genomes, without the need to reassemble genomes; this is particularly useful for the study of rapidly evolving, genetically variable RNA virus populations and may be a useful tool to study recombination.