Diversity and Dynamics: Virome Analysis of Two Honey Bee Species across Pakistan and Bangladesh

Honey bee viruses remain largely unexplored in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where commercial apiculture plays an essential role in agricultural and economic sustainability. This study presents a comprehensive virome analysis of two key honey bee species, Apis mellifera and A. cerana, from these regions, utilizing high-throughput sequencing(HTS) technology. Our findings reveal the presence of nine honey bee viruses and seven plant viruses, including four novel viruses. Notably, Apis mellifera-associated partiti-like virus 2, first identified in South Korea, was consistently detected in all samples from Pakistan. Additionally, we identified a novel virus exhibiting minimal similarity to known members of the Tobamovirus and Alphaendornavirus genera. Moreover, we confirmed the complete genome sequence of Apis mellifera filamentous virus in A. mellifera samples from Bangladesh. This pioneering virome analysis highlights previously undetected viruses in honey bee populations of Pakistan and Bangladesh, providing critical insights for future research on honey bee health and viral ecology in these regions.