The effect of viral infections on chemical communication of eusocial insects: current knowledge and future research directions

Authors: ADAMS, BASHIRU - Mississippi State University; KRISHNAN, NATRAJ - Mississippi State University; AMIRI, ESMAEIL - Mississippi State University; Chen, Jian

Submitted to: Journal of Pest Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Honey bees and fire ants, though very different in their roles, both rely on pheromones—chemical scents—for nearly everything they do. These signals help them find food, care for young, recognize the queen, and protect their colonies. But scientists are discovering that viruses can interfere with this critical “language,” potentially throwing entire insect societies into disarray. While some effects are known in solitary insects, we still don’t fully understand how viruses affect these complex social systems. This study brings together what scientists currently know about how viruses can disrupt pheromone communication in two important social insects: honey bees (key pollinators) and fire ants (invasive pests). The review highlights known effects on both pheromone production and perception, shows where major knowledge gaps remain, and connects these findings to broader ecological impacts. By synthesizing current research, this work provides a foundation for better understanding how viruses alter chemical communication in social insects. It paves the way for future studies and offers new ideas for managing two big challenges at once: protecting honey bee health and developing more targeted, sustainable methods to control invasive fire ants - both through the lens of the chemical ecology.

Technical Abstract: Chemical communication in eusocial insects is crucial for their survival and adaptation in diverse conditions, contributing to their evolutionary success. Pheromones, primarily produced by exocrine glands, play a vital role in eusocial insects, serving as the primary mode of communication. Pheromones coordinate complex colony behaviors, including foraging, queen recognition, brood care, alarm signaling, and colony defense. Proper pheromone function is essential for colony survival and efficiency. However, pathogens (especially viruses) can disrupt pheromone-mediated communication through two mechanisms: by altering pheromone production or by impairing pheromone perception. Viral impact on exocrine glands and pheromone production has been well-documented in non-social insects. While there is growing evidence of the effects of viruses on pheromone-mediated behaviors in eusocial insects, the interactions between viruses and pheromones remain poorly understood. Here, we review the current knowledge of how viral infections influence chemical communication in two ecologically interconnected eusocial insects: honey bees (Apis mellifera), cherished for their honey production and pollination services, and fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), a notorious invasive pest. This review explores the ecological consequences of these interactions and discusses their implications for pest and pollinator management. The review further identifies knowledge gaps and highlights future research directions that could enhance our understanding of virus-pheromone interactions. By examining these complex relationships through a chemical ecology perspective, we aim to advance the understanding of viral ecology and develop management strategies that improve honeybee health and support sustainable fire ant control.