title: Invasive ants carry novel viruses in their  new range and form reservoirs for a  honeybee pathogen.
abstract: When exotic animal species invade new environments they also bring an often unknown microbial diversity, including pathogens. We describe a novel and widely distributed virus in one of the most globally widespread, abundant and damaging invasive ants (Argentine ants, Linepithema humile). The Linepithema humile virus 1 is a dicistrovirus, a viral family including species known to cause widespread arthropod disease. It was detected in samples from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Argentine ants in New Zealand were also infected with a strain of Deformed wing virus common to local hymenopteran species, which is a major pathogen widely associated with honeybee mortality. Evidence for active replication of viral RNA was apparent for both viruses. Our results suggest co-introduction and exchange of pathogens within local hymenopteran communities. These viral species may contribute to the collapse of Argentine ant populations and offer new options for the control of a globally widespread invader.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sébastien
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Monica A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000821:virology*; D001118:Argentina; D001315:Australia; D001516:Bees / Q000821:virology; D007304:Insect Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058865:Introduced Species; D056186:Metagenomics; D009520:New Zealand; D010849:Picornaviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral