A Multi-Microscopy Approach to Discover the Feeding Site and Host Tissue Consumed by Varroa destructor on Host Honey Bees

Ramsey, Samuel; Gulbronson, Connor J.; Mowery, Joseph; Ochoa, Ron; vanEngelsdorp, Dennis; Bauchan, Gary R.

doi:10.1017/s1431927618006773

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The term “phoretic” is defined by exploitation of a host exclusively for transport and specifically excludes exploitation of the host as a food source (39–46). To determine whether these regions of high activity are feeding sites or simply regions of the host that aid in phoresy, we examined the intersegmental membrane (membrane between segments of the metasoma) in the area of highest preference [as detailed in SI Appendix , Extended Materials and Methods and Ramsey et al (47)]. Images captured via low-temperature scanning electron microscopy revealed a wound in the intersegmental membrane (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Varroa destructorfeeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph

Ramsey

Ochoa

Bauchan

et al. 2019

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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463

322

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SignificanceVarroa destructor causes considerable damage to honey bees and subsequently the field of apiculture through just one process: feeding. For five decades, we have believed that these mites consume hemolymph like a tick consumes blood, and that Varroa cause harm primarily by vectoring viruses. Our work shows that they cause damage more directly. Varroa externally digest and consume fat body tissue rather than blood. These findings explain the failure of some previous attempts at developing effectively targeted treatment strategies for Varroa control. Furthermore, it provides some explanation for the diverse array of debilitating pathologies associated with Varroa that were unexplained by hemolymph removal alone. Our work provides a path forward for the development of novel treatment strategies for Varroa.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Varroa destructorfeeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph

Ramsey

Ochoa

Bauchan

et al. 2019

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Self Cite

463

322

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“…Varroa waste consists predominantly of guanine with traces of hypoxanthine, uric acid and caffeine [35], suggesting a protein-rich diet with limited water. New research has overturned the decades-long belief that varroa feeds exclusively on hemolymph, demonstrating that feeding on the fat-body is required for varroa egg production [18] and that fat body tissue was consistently detected inside the gut of mites feeding on honey bee adults [36]. Inspection of varroa feeding sites revealed feeding holes between the overlapping abdominal plates of the honey bee and degraded fat body cells beneath the intersegmental membrane, likely due to extra-oral digestion by mite saliva [36].…”

Section: Dispersal Phasementioning

confidence: 99%

<em>Varroa destructor</em>: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide

Traynor¹,

Mondet

Miranda³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has shaken the beekeeping and pollination industries since its spread from its native host, the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), to the naïve European honey bee (A. mellifera) used commercially for pollination and honey production around the globe. Varroa is the greatest threat to honey bee health. Worrying observations include increasing acaricide resistance in the varroa population and sinking economic treatment thresholds, suggesting that the mites or their vectored viruses are becoming more virulent. Highly infested weak colonies facilitate mite dispersal and disease transmission to stronger and healthier colonies. Here, we review recent developments in the biology, pathology and management of varroa, and integrate older knowledge that is less well known.

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“…One of the first functional studies on V. destructor saliva [19] reported that mite's saliva is able to disrupt cellular immune response by haemocytes of the caterpillar Lacanobia oleracea. More recently, it was reported that degradation of fat body cells beneath the pierced intersegmental membrane of parasitized adult bees is induced by saliva injection [20]. Another recent study identified in the saliva of V. destructor a protein component that is toxic for pre-imaginal stages of Apis cerana and promotes an increase of DWV titer in A. mellifera [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…destructor saliva [ 19 ] reported that mite’s saliva is able to disrupt cellular immune response by haemocytes of the caterpillar Lacanobia oleracea . More recently, it was reported that degradation of fat body cells beneath the pierced intersegmental membrane of parasitized adult bees is induced by saliva injection [ 20 ]. Another recent study identified in the saliva of V .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A salivary chitinase of Varroa destructor influences host immunity and mite’s survival

et al. 2020

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Varroa destructor is an ectoparasite of honey bees and an active disease vector, which represents one of the most severe threats for the beekeeping industry. This parasitic mite feeds on the host’s body fluids through a wound in the cuticle, which allows food uptake by the mother mite and its progeny, offering a potential route of entrance for infecting microorganisms. Mite feeding is associated with saliva injection, whose role is still largely unknown. Here we try to fill this gap by identifying putative host regulation factors present in the saliva of V. destructor and performing a functional analysis for one of them, a chitinase (Vd-CHIsal) phylogenetically related to chitinases present in parasitic and predatory arthropods, which shows a specific and very high level of expression in the mite’s salivary glands. Vd-CHIsal is essential for effective mite feeding and survival, since it is apparently involved both in maintaining the feeding wound open and in preventing host infection by opportunistic pathogens. Our results show the important role in the modulation of mite-honey bee interactions exerted by a host regulation factor shared by different evolutionary lineages of parasitic arthropods. We predict that the functional characterization of Varroa sialome will provide new background knowledge on parasitism evolution in arthropods and the opportunity to develop new bioinspired strategies for mite control based on the disruption of their complex interactions with a living food source.

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A Multi-Microscopy Approach to Discover the Feeding Site and Host Tissue Consumed by Varroa destructor on Host Honey Bees

Cited by 23 publications

References 4 publications

Varroa destructorfeeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph

Varroa destructorfeeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph

<em>Varroa destructor</em>: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide

A salivary chitinase of Varroa destructor influences host immunity and mite’s survival

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