Diagnosis of Varroa Mite (Varroa destructor) and Sustainable Control in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies—A Review

Gregorc, Aleš; Sampson, Blair J.

doi:10.3390/d11120243

Cited by 29 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(97 reference statements)

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“…Our study identified no adverse effects of drone brood cell treatment on adult bee mortality, brood production, and colony population. This could be associated with a lack of inefficiencies caused by overdose, temperature, humidity, etc as observed in chemical and organic control applications (Gregorc and Sampson, 2019;Szczurek et al, 2019;Guichard et al, 2020). The use of drone bee brood cells as traps against varroa mite can be easily applied in colonies over time of high brood activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Using Drone Brood Cells as Traps Against Varroa destructor (Varroa Mite)

Güneşdoğdu

Şekeroğlu

Tainika

2021

Turkish JAF Sci.Tech.

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Today, the honeybee parasite Varroa destructor is thought to be the most dangerous creature in the beekeeping industry worldwide. In this study, the efficacy of using drone brood cells (known to have no residue concerns in bee products and harmless on bee health) as traps against V. destructor was investigated. A total of 16 honeybee (Apis mellıfera) colonies with V. destructor infestation percentage of less than 5% were used for the trial. The treatment group consisted of 8 colonies that were randomly assigned to molded drone comb (comb with 5.4 mm hexagonal cells). The other 8 were assigned to unmolded comb to form the control group. In the trial groups, after 20 days (from 10th May), all drone combs with complete pupation were removed and destroyed on 30th May, 20th June, 10th July, 30th July, and 20th August. During the trial, varroa mite infestation rate (mean abundance), colony development, and varroa mite preference for drone and work bee brood cells were determined. The results showed that the application of drone brood cells as a control method was statistically significant against V. destructor, and did not negatively affect colony development. On the other hand, V.destructor's preference for both drone and worker bee brood cells among the groups was not statistically significant. In conclusion, drone brood cells ensured an approximately 43% success rate as traps against V. destructor compared to the control group. The effective application of drone brood cells as traps in combination with other Varroa mite control methods should be investigated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Using Drone Brood Cells as Traps Against Varroa destructor (Varroa Mite)

Güneşdoğdu

Şekeroğlu

Tainika

2021

Turkish JAF Sci.Tech.

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“…For instance, quantifying even something seemingly simple such as MPG in A. mellifera colonies can be very challenging. Several methods to infer the number of parasites infesting honey bee colonies currently exist: counting fallen mites on bottom board, estimating phoretic mites using samples of adult bees, or counting mites in the brood (Dietemann et al 2012;Gregorc and Sampson 2019). Often, only a single of these estimates is used to infer the total population of mites infesting a colony, as combining them is too time consuming.…”

Section: Methodological Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Honey Bee Survival Mechanisms Against the Parasite <em>Varroa destructor</em>: A Systematic Review of Phenotypic and Genomic Research Efforts

Mondet

Beaurepaire

McAfee³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is the most significant pathological threat to the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, leading to the death of most colonies if left untreated. An alternative approach to chemical treatments is to selectively enhance heritable honey bee traits of resistance or tolerance to the mite through breeding programs, or select for naturally surviving untreated colonies. We conducted a literature review of all studies documenting traits of A. mellifera populations either selectively bred or naturally selected for resistance and tolerance to mite parasitism. This allowed us to conduct an analysis of the diversity, distribution and importance of the traits in different honey bee populations that can survive V. destructor throughout the globe. In a second analysis, we investigated the genetic bases of these different phenotypes by comparing ’omics studies (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics) of A. mellifera resistance and tolerance to the parasite. Altogether, this review provides a detailed overview of the current state of the research projects and breeding efforts against the most devastating parasite of A. mellifera. By highlighting the most promising traits of varroa-surviving bees and our current knowledge on their genetic bases, this work will help direct future research efforts and selection programs to control this pest. Additionally, by comparing the diverse populations of honey bees that exhibit the traits, this review highlights the consequences of anthropogenic and natural selection on the interactions between hosts and parasites.

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“…Additionally, hop beta acids (HopGuard) are becoming an increasingly popular treatment in North America. Organic chemicals typically do not persist within honey bee hives (reviewed by Rademacher and Harz 2006 , Gregorc and Sampson 2019 ) and are applied to colonies differently from one another due to the varying nature of the chemicals, the formulations used, and the labeled use restrictions. Correspondingly, the use and efficacies of natural compounds are highly variable compared to those of synthetic chemicals.…”

Section: Chemical Control Of Varroamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Herein, we discuss the core principles of IPM, how they relate to Varroa management, current Varroa control options, and offer perspectives on sustainable solutions. While other recent reviews on Varroa biology and control offer discussions on various Varroa control strategies ( Rosenkranz et al 2010 , Gregorc and Sampson 2019 , Noël et al 2020 , Roth et al 2020 ), we aim to provide a single, comprehensive review of Varroa control within an IPM framework.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Pest Management Control ofVarroa destructor(Acari: Varroidae), the Most Damaging Pest of (Apis melliferaL. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) Colonies

Jack

Ellis

2021

Journal of Insect Science

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Varroa destructor is among the greatest biological threats to western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) health worldwide. Beekeepers routinely use chemical treatments to control this parasite, though overuse and mismanagement of these treatments have led to widespread resistance in Varroa populations. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecologically based, sustainable approach to pest management that relies on a combination of control tactics that minimize environmental impacts. Herein, we provide an in-depth review of the components of IPM in a Varroa control context. These include determining economic thresholds for the mite, identification of and monitoring for Varroa, prevention strategies, and risk conscious treatments. Furthermore, we provide a detailed review of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical control strategies, both longstanding and emerging, used against Varroa globally. For each control type, we describe all available treatments, their efficacies against Varroa as described in the primary scientific literature, and the obstacles to their adoption. Unfortunately, reliable IPM protocols do not exist for Varroa due to the complex biology of the mite and strong reliance on chemical control by beekeepers. To encourage beekeeper adoption, a successful IPM approach to Varroa control in managed colonies must be an improvement over conventional control methods and include cost-effective treatments that can be employed readily by beekeepers. It is our intention to provide the most thorough review of Varroa control options available, ultimately framing our discussion within the context of IPM. We hope this article is a call-to-arms against the most damaging pest managed honey bee colonies face worldwide.

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Diagnosis of Varroa Mite (Varroa destructor) and Sustainable Control in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies—A Review

Cited by 29 publications

References 64 publications

Effect of Using Drone Brood Cells as Traps Against Varroa destructor (Varroa Mite)

Effect of Using Drone Brood Cells as Traps Against Varroa destructor (Varroa Mite)

Honey Bee Survival Mechanisms Against the Parasite <em>Varroa destructor</em>: A Systematic Review of Phenotypic and Genomic Research Efforts

Integrated Pest Management Control ofVarroa destructor(Acari: Varroidae), the Most Damaging Pest of (Apis melliferaL. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) Colonies

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