RNA virus circulation among pollinator and non-pollinator species in Argentina

A decline in pollinating insect populations has been detected in recent years. Its causal factors include pathogens, among which RNA viruses have been the most notable. Numerous insect species could act as reservoirs for these viruses, resulting in emerging infectious diseases for new hosts. To date, ten honey bee viruses have been identified in Argentina, some of which have been found in other pollinators and non-pollinators that share the environment. The objective of this study was to review the available scientific literature related to the presence and dispersion of RNA viruses in the Apoidea species in Argentina. After a first search, 178 citations were found using keywords such as ‘RNA virus’, ‘insects’, and ‘Argentina’, and redefining other keywords such as ‘bees’, ‘pollinators’ and ‘non-pollinators’, 30 citations were found. While this could lead to a decrease in the populations of the new hosts, the spread of RNA viruses could lead to emerging infectious diseases in them.