RNA Viruses in Hymenopteran Pollinators : Evidence of Inter - taxa Virus 2 Transmission via Pollen and Potential Impact on Non - Apis Hymenopteran Species 3 Running Header : Viruses in Pollinators

Although overall pollinator populations have declined over the last couple 18 of decades, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) malady, colony collapse disorder (CCD), has 19 caused major concern in the agricultural community. Among honey bee pathogens, RNA 20 viruses are emerging as a serious threat and are suspected as major contributors to CCD. 21 Recent detection of these viral species in bumble bees suggests a possible wider 22 environmental spread of these viruses with potential broader impact. It is therefore vital 23 to study the ecology and epidemiology of these viruses in the hymenopteran pollinator 24 community as a whole. We studied the viral distribution in honey bees, in their pollen 25 loads, and in other non-Apis hymenopteran pollinators collected from flowering plants in 26 Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois in the United States. Viruses in the samples were 27 detected using reverse transcriptase-PCR and confirmed by sequencing. For the first time, 28 we report the molecular detection of picorna-like RNA viruses (deformed wing virus, 29 sacbrood virus and black queen cell virus) in pollen pellets collected directly from 30 forager bees. Pollen pellets from several uninfected forager bees were detected with 31 virus, indicating that pollen itself may harbor viruses. The viruses in the pollen and 32 honey stored in the hive were demonstrated to be infective, with the queen becoming 33 infected and laying infected eggs after these virus-contaminated foods were given to 34 virus-free colonies. These viruses were detected in eleven other non-Apis hymenopteran 35 species, ranging from many solitary bees to bumble bees and wasps. This finding further 36 expands the viral host range and implies a possible deeper impact on the health of our 37 ecosystem. Phylogenetic analyses support that these viruses are disseminating freely 38 among the pollinators via the flower pollen itself. Notably, in cases where honey bee 39