Seasonal cycle of inbreeding and recombination of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honeybee colonies and its implications for the selection of acaricide resistance

Ethological Aspects of HoneybeeApis mellifera(Hymenoptera, Apidae), Adaptation to Parasitic MiteVarroa Destructor(Mesostigmata, Varroidae) InvasionSome ethological aspects ofA. melliferaLinnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera, Apidae), adaptation to parasiting the miteV. destructorAnderson et Trueman (Mesostigmata, Varroidae) are shown. The basic complexes of behaviour reactions, directed on a fight against the parasitic mites of bees brood at the genusApisare shown, their comparative efficiency under various conditions and evolutional perspective. Possibility of ethological adaptation of honey bee toV. destructorparasiting, direction of selection by this sign and influencing of human on parasitic-host system was discussed. An approach to the selection of bees with the purpose of resistanse to varroosis promoution is proposed.

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Selection of Apis mellifera workers by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor using host cuticular hydrocarbons

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009991867 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 137 (6) ◽

pp. 967-973 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

F. DEL PICCOLO ◽

F. NAZZI ◽

G. DELLA VEDOVA ◽

N. MILANI

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Cuticular Hydrocarbons ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Brood Cell ◽

Varroa Mite ◽

Parasitic Mite ◽

Two Stages ◽

European Honeybee ◽

Selection Of

SUMMARYThe parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, is the most important threat for apiculture in most bee-keeping areas of the world. The mite is carried to the bee brood cell, where it reproduces, by a nurse bee; therefore the selection of the bee stage by the parasite could influence its reproductive success. This study investigates the role of the cuticular hydrocarbons of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) in host-selection by the mite. Preliminary laboratory bioassays confirmed the preference of the varroa mite for nurse bees over pollen foragers. GC-MS analysis of nurse and pollen bees revealed differences in the cuticular hydrocarbons of the two stages; in particular, it appeared that pollen bees have more (Z)-8-heptadecene than nurse bees. Laboratory experiments showed that treatment of nurse bees with 100 ng of the pure compound makes them repellent to the varroa mite. These results suggest that the mite can exploit the differences in the cuticular composition of its host for a refined selection that allows it to reach a brood cell and start reproduction. The biological activity of the alkene encourages further investigations for the development of novel control techniques based on this compound.

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Neonicotinoid Clothianidin reduces honey bee immune response and contributes to Varroa mite proliferation

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-19715-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Desiderato Annoscia ◽

Gennaro Di Prisco ◽

Andrea Becchimanzi ◽

Emilio Caprio ◽

Davide Frizzera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Asymptomatic Infection ◽

Varroa Mite ◽

Deformed Wing Virus ◽

Synergistic Interactions ◽

Parasitic Mite

AbstractThe neonicotinoid Clothianidin has a negative impact on NF-κB signaling and on immune responses controlled by this transcription factor, which can boost the proliferation of honey bee parasites and pathogens. This effect has been well documented for the replication of deformed wing virus (DWV) induced by Clothianidin in honey bees bearing an asymptomatic infection. Here, we conduct infestation experiments of treated bees to show that the immune-suppression exerted by Clothianidin is associated with an enhanced fertility of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, as a possible consequence of a higher feeding efficiency. A conceptual model is proposed to describe the synergistic interactions among different stress agents acting on honey bees.

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The body composition and enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism of Varroa destructor

Journal of Apicultural Science ◽

10.2478/jas-2013-0020 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 93-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elżbieta Łopieńska–Biernat ◽

Małgorzata Dmitryjuk ◽

Ewa Zaobidna ◽

Zbigniew Lipiński ◽

Krystyna Żółtowska

Keyword(s):

Varroa Destructor ◽

Glycogen Synthase ◽

Glycogen Metabolism ◽

Cholesterol Content ◽

The Body ◽

Total Protein Content ◽

Basic Composition ◽

Metabolism Enzymes ◽

Parasitic Mite ◽

A Minor

Abstract The aim of the present research was to determine the basic composition of the organic compounds present in extracts from Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of the honeybee. The total protein content was 9.16 ± 0.82 mg/100 mg of body weight, lipid content was 9.81 ± 1.99 mg/100 mg, and carbohydrate content was 26.67 ± 4.52 mg/100 mg. The triacylglycerol content was 2.40 ± 0.86 mg/100 mg and the cholesterol content was 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/100 mg. Thin layer chromatography indicated that phospholipids comprised the major part of the lipid component; cephalins (78%), cerebrosides (16%), and lecithins (6%) were identified in the phospholipid pool. Glucose (23.6 ± 4.52 mg/100 mg) was the main carbohydrate, followed by glycogen (5.43 ± 1.23 mg/100 mg) and trehalose (0.35 ± 0.07 mg/100 mg). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays detected two major glycogen metabolism enzymes, glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase. Among the enzymes metabolising disaccharides, maltase (24.7 ± 2.38 μmol/mg protein) and trehalase (14.81 ± 5.21 μmol/mg protein) presented the highest activity. Saccharose and lactose were hydrolysed to a minor extent. These are the first measurements of the basic composition of the mite body. Although these data are not exhaustive, they may serve as the basis for further research on the metabolism of V. destructor, particularly concerning lipid metabolism.

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Three QTL in the honey bee Apis mellifera L. suppress reproduction of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor

Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1002/ece3.17 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 451-458 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Dieter Behrens ◽

Qiang Huang ◽

Cornelia Geßner ◽

Peter Rosenkranz ◽

Eva Frey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Parasitic Mite

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Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees

Genetics Selection Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12711-020-00591-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthieu Guichard ◽

Vincent Dietemann ◽

Markus Neuditschko ◽

Benjamin Dainat

Keyword(s):

Honey Bee ◽

Environmental Effects ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Selection Strategy ◽

Pollination Services ◽

Colony Losses ◽

New Host ◽

Parasitic Mite ◽

Resistance Traits

Abstract Background In spite of the implementation of control strategies in honey bee (Apis mellifera) keeping, the invasive parasitic mite Varroa destructor remains one of the main causes of colony losses in numerous countries. Therefore, this parasite represents a serious threat to beekeeping and agro-ecosystems that benefit from the pollination services provided by honey bees. To maintain their stocks, beekeepers have to treat their colonies with acaricides every year. Selecting lineages that are resistant to infestations is deemed to be a more sustainable approach. Review Over the last three decades, numerous selection programs have been initiated to improve the host–parasite relationship and to support honey bee survival in the presence of the parasite without the need for acaricide treatments. Although resistance traits have been included in the selection strategy of honey bees, it has not been possible to globally solve the V. destructor problem. In this study, we review the literature on the reasons that have potentially limited the success of such selection programs. We compile the available information to assess the relevance of selected traits and the potential environmental effects that distort trait expression and colony survival. Limitations to the implementation of these traits in the field are also discussed. Conclusions Improving our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying resistance to V. destructor to increase trait relevance, optimizing selection programs to reduce environmental effects, and communicating selection outcomes are all crucial to efforts aiming at establishing a balanced relationship between the invasive parasite and its new host.

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