Bee Viruses: An Emerging Problem That Need Better Diagnosis, Prevention and Control Strategies

Abstract

The role of the honeybee (<i>Apis mellifera L.</i>) in pollination is crucial for the maintenance of biodiversity of most terrestrial ecosystems and global agricultural production. In this way, biotic pollination is required for the reproduction of 70% of flowering plants. Particularly, pollination with bees is needed for more than 35% of the world’s crops that produce basic food for man. Recently, the fraction of global crops that require animal pollination has tripled, making food production more dependant of pollinators that before .