Virus host shifts from managed honey bees, Apis mellifera, are thought
to contribute to the decline of wild pollinators. However, data on the
impact of such viruses on wild pollinators remain scarce, and how
landscape structure may affect virus transmission is poorly understood.
We experimentally deployed bumble bee colonies in an agricultural
landscape to study changes in the bumble bee virome under varying
habitat composition and configuration. The results show a decline in
prevalence and viral loads of honey bee associated viruses, while
viruses common in Bombus spp. increased during field exposure. Honey bee
associated viruses had no effect on colony development, suggesting that
immediate impacts are unlikely in the field. Notably, we further
demonstrate that increased habitat diversity results in fewer viruses in
Bombus colonies. To mitigate the decline of bumble bees and other wild
pollinators, we suggest focusing conservation efforts on habitat
diversification and restoration.