Molecular detection and characterization of honey bee viruses and Nosema ceranae in Syria

The Syrian honeybee, Apis mellifera syriaca, is a native honeybee in the eastern Mediterranean region and one of the oldest honeybee races. Up-to-date, few researches are available on the sanitary status of Syrian honeybees, especially which focus on virus infection. This study aims to estimate the occurrence of economically other important honey bee viruses and Nosema ceranae in apiaries situated in Rural Damascus city, and to obtain a comprehensive insight into the correlation between the presence of honey bee viruses, and the decline of bee colonies.