"Are Commercial Honeybees Making Wild Bees Sick?"

Question

by Berly McCoy

All of the honeybee colonies tested by the researchers were positive for both viruses, an unfortunate but common occurrence for commercial colonies.

But the number of wild bumblebees carrying viruses varied depending on the proximity to the domesticated hives. There was also variation between the two viruses.

More than 90 percent of bumblebees collected close to apiaries carried black queen cell virus. In sites farther from apiaries, and where no honeybees were foraging, just under 40 percent were positive for this virus. When the researchers checked for actual infections, they found that the proximity to an apiary wasn’t telling of whether a bumblebee was infected with black queen cell virus. That means sites near and far from a commercial beehive had the same abundance of black queen cell virus infections.

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Question
Use the article excerpt to answer the question.

What evidence from the text best supports the inference that honeybees—not bumblebees—are responsible for infecting the studied flowers? Select the two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

All of the honeybees researchers collected were infected with both viruses.
All of the honeybees researchers collected were infected with both viruses.

All of the bumblebees infected with deformed wing virus were close to apiaries.
All of the bumblebees infected with deformed wing virus were close to apiaries.

All the infected flowers researchers picked and tested were close to apiaries.
All the infected flowers researchers picked and tested were close to apiaries.

More bumblebees foraging close to apiaries had viruses on their outsides than had active infections.
More bumblebees foraging close to apiaries had viruses on their outsides than had active infections.

More than 90 percent of bumblebees collected close to apiaries were infected with black queen cell virus.

Answer 1

The two correct responses that best support the inference that honeybees—not bumblebees—are responsible for infecting the studied flowers are:

1. All of the honeybees researchers collected were infected with both viruses.
2. More than 90 percent of bumblebees collected close to apiaries were infected with black queen cell virus.

The first response indicates that commercial honeybees are carriers of the viruses, suggesting a potential source of infection. The second response highlights the high prevalence of infection in bumblebees near apiaries, which implies that the proximity to honeybees might play a role in the transmission of the viruses, although it notes that the infection levels elsewhere don't differ in terms of abundance.