Spread of Pest and Diseases of Pollinators in a Changing World

Pollinators play a crucial role in servicing our ecosystem, but their populations are dramatically declining due to various reasons, including abiotic factors such as pesticides, climate change, and land fragmentation. Moreover, biotic factors also affect pollinator populations.

Recently, biological invasions have become more frequent, and the successful invasion of pests and diseases threatens the health of pollinators and their services. It is essential to document the possible routes and mechanisms of biotic invasion and its consequences on plant-pollinator interactions, as well as on pollinator health.

Additionally, significant advancements in biology provide new information about pests and diseases affecting pollinators. In relation to climate change, it would be beneficial to include modeling approaches for both retrospective analyses and predictive future scenarios.

This topic will focus on the mechanisms of biological invasion and the spread of pests and diseases affecting pollinators, as well as their impacts on ecosystems from both empirical and mechanistic perspectives. Moreover, new pests and diseases will be reported from around the world using innovative study techniques. New study areas and environments for pests and diseases in pollinators are also expected to be revealed in this Research Topic. Finally, strategies for managing pests and diseases will be discussed as a means to maintain and improve the health of pollinators. We hope that the information provided in this issue will be useful for pollinator conservation worldwide.

This research topic covers the predators, parasites, and diseases affecting managed and wild bees, as well as other pollinators. It explores their diversity, including new reports or records of these organisms in previously unrecorded areas. The study also examines both conventional and emerging approaches to managing these threats.

The articles focus on several predator and hive parasites, including Vespa hornets, small hive beetle, wax moths, and other arthropods, as well as avian and mammalian predators. In terms of ecto-parasites, the research delves into well-known threats such as Varroa mites, tracheal mites, and Tropilaelaps mites. New findings related to parasites affecting other pollinators are also highlighted.

Diseases spanning multiple biological kingdoms are addressed, including bacterial, protist, and fungal pathogens. Viruses, especially those affecting bee populations, are a significant focus of the research. Furthermore, the article introduces novel detection methods for these diseases, enhancing the ability to monitor and control them.

The management of pollinator health in new geographical areas is explored, with particular attention given to the effects of climate change on pollinator populations. The impact of changing environmental conditions on pollinator health and numbers is an ongoing concern. Finally, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for detecting and conserving pollinators is discussed as a promising new approach.

Keywords: invasion, spillover, model, managed bee, wild bee, vespa, tropilaelaps, virus, parasitic mites

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.