Over the course of two winters, the significant decline in honey bee populations in Korea has emerged as a major social issue. This phenomenon is expected as attributed to factors such as the failure of pest control due to the pesticide resistance of the Varroa mite. This mite can transmit some viruses that infect honey bees, and these viruses are among the primary causes of the globally occurring colony collapse disorder. Traditional diagnostic methods like (RT-)PCR and ELISA are not ideal for identifying pathogens that are newly emerging or have undergone mutations. To detect any novel or mutated viruses beyond those that have been primarily diagnosed in Korea, we introduced virome analysis technology in the field of honey bees. Employing this method with high-throughput sequencing techniques, we were able to identify all existing viruses within individual or group samples. We discovered that the Lake Sinai virus, which has been reported worldwide but not in Korea, has already significantly spread within the country. Additionally, we were able to confirm the prevalence of viruses previously reported in Korea, such as the recently dominant Black Queen Cell Virus. Through this virome analysis, we can provide foundational data for determining the direction and countermeasures for virus diagnosis.

• Minhyeok Kwon(Department of Plant Medicals, College of Life Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong)
• Chuleui Jung(Department of Plant Medicals, College of Life Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong)
• Eui-Joon Kil(Department of Plant Medicals, College of Life Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Agriculture Science and Technology Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong) Corresponding author