scholarly journals How Crucial is the Functional Pit Organ for the Varroa Mite?

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 395
Author(s):  
Beatrice T. Nganso ◽  
Kannan Mani ◽  
Yam Altman ◽  
Ada Rafaeli ◽  
Victoria Soroker
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Varroa Mite ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Pit Organ ◽  
Vitellogenin Receptor ◽  
Animal Survival ◽  
Nail Polish ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Lower Ability

Olfaction as well as gustation, are essential for animal survival, allowing behavioral modulation according to environmental input. We focused our study on an obligate ecto-parasitic mite of honey bees, the Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Parasitiformes, Mesostigmata, Varroidae). By mechanically blocking the main olfactory organ on Varroa forelegs by varnishing with nail polish, we were able to show that other sensory organs cannot significantly compensate chemosensory abilities required for mite’s host selection, identification as well as reproduction. In fact, we found that mites with blocked forelegs had a significantly lower ability to reach a host bee than those with varnished idiosoma and unvarnished control. Furthermore, fewer foreleg blocked mites were feeding on the nurse bees and their reproduction in the brood cells was significantly impaired. The inhibition of reproduction was also reflected in altered expression levels of vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor genes in foreleg-blocked mites.

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

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.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (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.

The ability of high- and low-grooming lines of honey bees to remove the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is affected by environmental conditions

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (9) ◽  
pp. 1059-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Currie ◽  
G. H. Tahmasbi
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Low Humidity ◽  
Biological Cost ◽  
Grooming Behaviour ◽  
Mite Mortality

This study assessed how variation in temperature and humidity affect the costs and benefits of grooming as a defense against Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman, 2000 in high-grooming and low-grooming groups of honey bee (Apis mellifera L., 1758) workers. Grooming was quantified as the proportion of mites falling to the bottom of cages containing worker bees or to the bottom of colonies of bees during winter. Cages of 100 mite-infested bees from each line of workers were assigned to environments with three treatment combinations of temperature (10, 25, and 34 °C) and humidity (low, medium, and high), and bee and mite mortality rates were quantified. The results showed relative effectiveness of high- and low-grooming groups being affected by the environment. Differences in grooming between lines were greatest at 25 °C and were slightly higher under conditions of low humidity than at higher levels. Mite mortality rates were greater in high-grooming groups of caged bees than in low-grooming bees held at 25 and 34 °C but were similar at 10 °C. During winter, colonies with high-grooming bees had higher daily mite mortality rates than unselected colonies. Bee mortality rates were greater in high-grooming lines than in low-grooming lines under low temperatures, indicating that there may be a biological cost associated with grooming behaviour at low temperature.

scholarly journals The effect of thyme (Thymus caucasicus) ethanol extract on Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), an ectoparasite mite of Apis mellifera meda (Hym: Apidae)

Biologija ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ataollah Rahimi ◽  
Yaser Khoram Del ◽  
Farzad Moradpour
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Varroa Mite ◽  
Brood Chamber ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Varroa Mites

Chemical control of the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), which is one of the most important pests of honey bees, is practiced on a worldwide scale. However, because of abundant use of different acaricides, the mites have become resistant to many of them. We chose to apply non-synthetic chemicals for control of Varroa mites by using thyme (Thymus caucasicus) ethanol extract on honey bees. In September-October 2013, we collected wild thyme growing in Kurdistan mountains, ground it, and its ethanol extract was made by using 95% ethylic alcohol. We used a randomized complete design with ten treatments of different concentrations of ethanol extract of thyme as a statistical model and one control with pure 95% ethanol with four replications. The interior temperature of the brood chamber was measured to be 30 ± 1°C, and the ambient temperature surrounding them was 33 ± 2°C. We sprayed the extracted thyme solution on honey bees and counted the number of dead mites by picking them out from the bottom board of each hive at every 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h intervals after spraying. The results showed that the use of the thyme extract influenced significantly the percentage of mortality of dead mites in the extract-sprayed treatment and the control treatment. The percentage of mortality of the honey bees in control hives and the honey bees treated by thyme ethanol extract did not have a significant difference. Results of our experiment using ethanol extract of thyme showed that its use in hives was safe without a high risk of mortality for honey bees.

scholarly journals Toxicity of Anethole and the Essential Oils of Lemongrass and Sweet Marigold to the Parasitic Mite Varroa destructor and Their Selectivity for Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Workers and Larvae

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Qodratollah Sabahi ◽  
Mollah Md. Hamiduzzaman ◽  
Juan S. Barajas-Pérez ◽  
Jose M. Tapia-Gonzalez ◽  
Ernesto Guzman-Novoa
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Acetyl Cholinesterase ◽  
Cymbopogon Citratus ◽  
Toxic Compound ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Detoxifying Enzyme ◽  
Honey Bee Workers

This study examined the toxicity of anethole and that of the essential oils of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and sweet marigold (Tagetes lucida) to the mite Varroa destructor and to honey bee workers and larvae. Anethole was the most toxic compound to V. destructor (LC50: 304.9 μg/ml), whereas Tagetes oil was the least toxic (LC50: 1256.27 μg/ml). The most and least toxic compounds to worker bees were anethole and Tagetes oil with LD50s of 35942 and 85381 μg/ml, respectively. For larvae, Tagetes oil was the most toxic compound (LD50: 9580.7 μg/ml) and anethole the least toxic (LD50: 14518.0 μg/ml). Anethole and Cymbopogon oil had the highest selectivity ratios. The expression of AChE, a gene that regulates the production of acetyl cholinesterase, a detoxifying enzyme, was not altered in bees treated with the plant compounds at 48 h post-treatment. This study showed that anethole and Cymbopogon oil have potential for controlling Varroa mites and seem to be relatively safe for larvae and adult honey bees.

Varroa destructor (Acari: Parasitiformes:Varroidae) a dangerous parasite of honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

ENTOMON ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-170
Author(s):  
Adjlane Noureddine ◽  
Haddad Nizar
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Bacterial Diseases ◽  
Development Cycle ◽  
The World ◽  
Honeybee Population ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Environmental Balance

The honeybee is an essential element of environmental balance in the world, particularly for its role in the pollination of many plant species. It also has other interests such as the production of honey, propolis, royal jelly and wax. Among several diseases on honey bees, the most dangerous is varroosis and threaten different species of honeybee population. Varroosis is caused by an external parasitic mite, Varroa destructor which parasites both bees and brood. It causes enormous damage to the colony and is a gateway to other viral and bacterial diseases. Information on the influence of this disease on colonies, symptoms and pathogenic actions, reproduction, development cycle and treatment methods viz chemical, natural, biological and biotechnical against Varroa are discussed.

scholarly journals Genome Sequences of Two Single-Stranded DNA Viruses Identified in Varroa destructor

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Kraberger ◽  
Gabriel A. Visnovsky ◽  
Ron F. van Toor ◽  
Maketalena F. Male ◽  
Kara Waits ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Single Stranded Dna ◽  
Dna Viruses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Parasitic Mite

ABSTRACT Varroa destructor is a ubiquitous and parasitic mite of honey bees, infecting them with pathogenic viruses having a major impact on apiculture. We identified two novel circular replication-associated protein (Rep)-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses from V. destructor sampled from a honey bee hive near Christchurch in New Zealand.

Feeding essential oils and 2-heptanone in sugar syrup and liquid protein diets to honey bees (Apis melliferaL.) as potential Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) controls

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Sammataro ◽  
Jennifer Finley ◽  
Blaise LeBlanc ◽  
Gordon Wardell ◽  
Fabiana Ahumada-Segura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oils ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Varroa Mite ◽  
Sugar Syrup ◽  
Protein Diets

scholarly journals Three Decades of Selecting Honey Bees that Survive Infestations by the Parasitic Mite Varroa destructor: Outcomes, Limitations and Strategy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthieu Guichard ◽  
Vincent Dietemann ◽  
Markus Neuditschko ◽  
Benjamin Dainat
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
New Host ◽  
Parasite Relationship ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
Selected Traits ◽  
Colony Survival

Despite the implementation of control strategies, the invasive parasitic mite Varroa destructor remains one of the principal causes of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses in numerous countries. For this reason, the parasite represents a serious threat to beekeeping and to agro-ecosystems that benefit from the pollination services provided by honey bees. Numerous selection programmes have been initiated over the last three decades with the aim of promoting the establishment of balance in the host–parasite relationship and, thus, helping European honey bees to survive in the presence of the parasite without the need for acaricide treatments. Such programmes have focused on either selective breeding for putative resistance traits or natural selection. To date, no clear overview of these attempts has been available, which has prevented building on past successes or failures and, therefore, hindered the development of a sustainable strategy for solving the V. destructor problem. In the present study, we review past and current selection strategies, report on their outcomes and discuss their limitations. Based on this state-of-the-art knowledge, we propose a strategy for increasing response to selection and colony survival against V. destructor infestations. Developing in-depth knowledge regarding the selected traits, optimising selection programmes and communicating their outcomes are all crucial to our efforts to establish a balanced relationship between the invasive parasite and its new host.

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