DWV is a 30 nm, hexagonal, 10144 base pair-long RNA virus. It is the most common virus found in bees and can be found throughout the world.

The virus is passed on by the varroa mite which affects all developmental stages of the bee. For bees in the developmental stage, DWV causes twisted, mutilated or crippled wings, a shortened thorax as well as discoloration.

How the virus causes all of this is still unclear.

Infected bees have a shortened life span and are usually driven out of the hive by other bees before death.

Whether they die as a result of the virus or of starvation is not exactly clear. If bees are not infected until their adult years, then it has no effect, as they merely serve as virus reservoirs for the viruses.

The results of a DWV infection are usually a very rash weakening or even a collapse of the entire bee colony.

The spread of the virus within the hive can occur independent of the varroa mite through food, as DWV can also be found in larval food. This is not much of a factor, however. The primary cause is still considered to be the varroa mite.

The only sensible measure that can be taken to alleviate the infection as much as possible is the reduction of the amount of varroa mites in bee colonies.