scholarly journals Reduced Postcapping Period in Honey Bees Surviving Varroa destructor by Means of Natural Selection

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Oddie ◽  
Bjørn Dahle ◽  
Peter Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Susceptible Population ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Worker Brood ◽  
Colony Survival

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is a key factor for colony losses in European honey bee subspecies (Apis mellifera), but it is also known that some host populations have adapted to the mite by means of natural selection. The role of a shorter host brood postcapping period in reducing mite reproductive success has been investigated in other surviving subspecies, however its role in the adaptation of European honey bee populations has not been addressed. Here, we use a common garden approach to compare the length of the worker brood postcapping period in a Norwegian surviving honey bee population with the postcapping period of a local susceptible population. The data show a significantly shorter postcapping period in the surviving population for ~10% of the brood. Since even small differences in postcapping period can significantly reduce mite reproductive success, this mechanism may well contribute to natural colony survival. It appears most likely that several mechanisms acting together produce the full mite-surviving colony phenotype.

scholarly journals Norwegian honey bees surviving Varroa destructor mite infestations by means of natural selection

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A.Y. Oddie ◽  
Bjørn Dahle ◽  
Peter Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Mite Infestation ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Colony Survival

Background Managed, feral and wild populations of European honey bee subspecies, Apis mellifera, are currently facing severe colony losses globally. There is consensus that the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, that switched hosts from the Eastern honey bee Apis cerana to the Western honey bee A. mellifera, is a key factor driving these losses. For >20 years, breeding efforts have not produced European honey bee colonies that can survive infestations without the need for mite control. However, at least three populations of European honey bees have developed this ability by means of natural selection and have been surviving for >10 years without mite treatments. Reduced mite reproductive success has been suggested as a key factor explaining this natural survival. Here, we report a managed A. mellifera population in Norway, that has been naturally surviving consistent V. destructor infestations for >17 years. Methods Surviving colonies and local susceptible controls were evaluated for mite infestation levels, mite reproductive success and two potential mechanisms explaining colony survival: grooming of adult worker bees and Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH): adult workers specifically detecting and removing mite-infested brood. Results Mite infestation levels were significantly lower in surviving colonies and mite reproductive success was reduced by 30% when compared to the controls. No significant differences were found between surviving and control colonies for either grooming or VSH. Discussion Our data confirm that reduced mite reproductive success seems to be a key factor for natural survival of infested A. mellifera colonies. However, neither grooming nor VSH seem to explain colony survival. Instead, other behaviors of the adult bees seem to be sufficient to hinder mite reproductive success, because brood for this experiment was taken from susceptible donor colonies only. To mitigate the global impact of V. destructor, we suggest learning more from nature, i.e., identifying the obviously efficient mechanisms favored by natural selection.

scholarly journals Norwegian honey bees surviving Varroa destructor miteinfestations by means of natural selection

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa AY Oddie ◽  
Bjørn Dahle ◽  
Peter Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Mite Infestation ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Colony Survival

Background: Managed, feral and wild populations of European honey bee subspecies, Apis mellifera, are currently facing severe colony losses globally. There is consensus that the ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor, that switched hosts from the Eastern honey bee Apis cerana to the Western honey bee A. mellifera, is a key factor driving these losses. For >20 years, breeding efforts have not achieved that European honey bee colonies survive infestations without the need for mite control. However, at least three populations of European honey bees have developed this by means of natural selection and have been surviving for >10 years without mite treatments. Reduced mite reproductive success has been suggested as a key factor explaining this natural survival. Here, we report a managed A. mellifera population in Norway, that has been naturally surviving consistent V. destructor infestations for >17 years. Methods: Surviving colonies and local susceptible controls were evaluated for mite infestation levels, mite reproductive success and twopotential mechanisms explaining colony survival: grooming of adult worker bees and Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH): adult workers specifically detecting and removing mite-infested brood. Results: Mite infestation levels were significantly lower in surviving colonies and mite reproductive success was reduced by ~30% compared to the controls. No significant differences were found between surviving and control colonies for either grooming or VSH. Discussion: Our data confirm that reduced mite reproductive success seems to be a key factor for natural survival of infested A. mellifera colonies. However, neither grooming nor VSH seem to explain colony survival. Instead, other behaviors of the adult bees seem to be sufficient to hinder mite reproductive success, because brood for this experiment was taken from susceptible donor colonies only. To mitigate the global impact of V. destructor, we suggest learning more from nature, i.e. identifying the obviously efficient mechanisms favored by natural selection.

scholarly journals Norwegian honey bees surviving Varroa destructor miteinfestations by means of natural selection

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa AY Oddie ◽  
Bjørn Dahle ◽  
Peter Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Mite Infestation ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Colony Survival

Background: Managed, feral and wild populations of European honey bee subspecies, Apis mellifera, are currently facing severe colony losses globally. There is consensus that the ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor, that switched hosts from the Eastern honey bee Apis cerana to the Western honey bee A. mellifera, is a key factor driving these losses. For >20 years, breeding efforts have not achieved that European honey bee colonies survive infestations without the need for mite control. However, at least three populations of European honey bees have developed this by means of natural selection and have been surviving for >10 years without mite treatments. Reduced mite reproductive success has been suggested as a key factor explaining this natural survival. Here, we report a managed A. mellifera population in Norway, that has been naturally surviving consistent V. destructor infestations for >17 years. Methods: Surviving colonies and local susceptible controls were evaluated for mite infestation levels, mite reproductive success and twopotential mechanisms explaining colony survival: grooming of adult worker bees and Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH): adult workers specifically detecting and removing mite-infested brood. Results: Mite infestation levels were significantly lower in surviving colonies and mite reproductive success was reduced by ~30% compared to the controls. No significant differences were found between surviving and control colonies for either grooming or VSH. Discussion: Our data confirm that reduced mite reproductive success seems to be a key factor for natural survival of infested A. mellifera colonies. However, neither grooming nor VSH seem to explain colony survival. Instead, other behaviors of the adult bees seem to be sufficient to hinder mite reproductive success, because brood for this experiment was taken from susceptible donor colonies only. To mitigate the global impact of V. destructor, we suggest learning more from nature, i.e. identifying the obviously efficient mechanisms favored by natural selection.

scholarly journals Does pollen diversity influence honey bee colony health?

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. e0504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Barroso-Arévalo ◽  
Marina Vicente-Rubiano ◽  
José A. Ruiz ◽  
Antonio Bentabol ◽  
José M. Sánchez-Vizcaíno
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Landscape Characteristics ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Global Presence ◽  
Tenerife Island ◽  
Colony Survival

Aim of study: Colony losses of the western honey bee Apis mellifera have increased alarmingly in recent years. These losses have been attributed to nutritional deficiency, environmental conditions, viral infection and the global presence of the ectoparasite mite Varroa destructor. Ensuring pollen availability may improve colony health, so the present study aimed to examine whether the diversity of pollen collected by the colony as well as landscape characteristics of apiaries influence colony health.Area of study: Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain).Material and methods: Colonies at eight apiaries were sampled in late summer to determine colony strength, presence of varroa and load of DWV. Pollen was collected during six months and analyzed. Landscape of each apiary was spatially analyzed.Main results: Pollen diversity did not correlate significantly with colony strength or the load of DWV, but it positively correlated with varroa levels. In contrast, DWV load correlated with varroa infestation, and both variables negatively correlated with colony strength. Weak colonies were located in landscapes with areas less suitable for bee nutrition.Research highlights: These results suggest that DWV and varroa infection as well as landscape characteristics influence colony survival, while pollen diversity on its own does not seem to have direct relationship. Our findings highlight the usefulness of DWV and varroa as predictors of colony losses, and they suggest the need to carefully assess honey bee apiary location in order to ensure adequate nutritional resources.

scholarly journals Ecological characteristics of Varroa destructor (parasitiformes, varroidea) and its environmental capacity as a key factor for development of varroosis panzootia

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
I. A. Akimov ◽  
O. P. Korzh
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Varroa Mite ◽  
Environmental Capacity ◽  
Ecological Characteristics ◽  
High Pathogenicity ◽  
Key Factor

Ecological Characteristics of Varroa destructor (Parasitiformes, Varroidae) and Its Environmental Capacity as a Key Factor for Development of Varroosis Panzootia. Akimov I. A., Korzh O. P. - By means of formalized schematic models of relationship with hosts the varroa mite uniqueness as a parasite is shown. The life cycle of this species requires the change of a host species at different stages of their development and physiological states. Thus the mite parasitizes not only a separate bee but a whole hive. The fact that the whole hive but not a single bee dies during varroosis development supports this idea. The impetus for this type of parasitism is the relative constancy of the environment in the hive supported by bees even in winter. Exactly this fact causes high pathogenicity of the varroa for the honey bee and its control complexity.

scholarly journals Low fertility, fecundity and numbers of mated female offspring explain the lower reproductive success of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in African honeybees

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 1633-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice T. Nganso ◽  
Ayuka T. Fombong ◽  
Abdullahi A. Yusuf ◽  
Christian W. W. Pirk ◽  
Charles Stuhl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Mite Infestation ◽  
Unmated Female ◽  
Mite Reproduction ◽  
Worker Brood ◽  
Honeybee Subspecies

AbstractAlthough Varroa destructor is the most serious ecto-parasite to the honeybee, Apis mellifera L., some honeybee populations such as Apis mellifera scutellata in Kenya can survive mite infestations without treatment. Previously, we reported that grooming behaviour could be a potential tolerant mechanism expressed by this honeybee subspecies towards mite infestation. However, both hygienic and grooming behaviours could not explain the lower mite-infestation levels recorded in these colonies. Here, we investigated the involvement of other potential resistant mechanisms including suppression of mite reproduction in worker brood cells of A. m. scutellata to explain the low mite numbers in their colonies. High infertility rates (26–27%) and percentages of unmated female offspring (39–58%) as well as low fecundity (1.7–2.2, average offspring produced) were identified as key parameters that seem to interact with one another during different seasons to suppress mite reproduction in A. m. scutellata colonies. We also identified offspring mortality in both sexes and absence of male offspring as key factors accounting for the low numbers of mated daughter mites produced in A. m. scutellata colonies. These results suggest that reduced mite reproductive success could explain the slow mite population growth in A. m. scutellata colonies.

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.

scholarly journals Why do Varroa mites invade worker brood cells of the honey bee despite lower reproductive success?

1995 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem J. Boot ◽  
Minus van Baalen ◽  
Maurice W. Sabelis
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Mites ◽  
Worker Brood

scholarly journals Grooming behavior and gene expression of the Indiana “mite-biter” honey bee stock

Apidologie ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Morfin ◽  
Krispn Given ◽  
Mathew Evans ◽  
Ernesto Guzman-Novoa ◽  
Greg J. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Marker Assisted Selection ◽  
Mite Population ◽  
Grooming Behavior ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Colony Survival ◽  
Biting Behavior

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the Indiana “mite-biter” honey bee stock, which has been selected for increased mutilation of Varroa destructor mites (“mite biting” behavior). A comparison between colonies of the selected stock and colonies of unselected Italian bees showed that the proportion of mutilated mites, the severity of mutilations, and winter colony survival were higher in Indiana mite-biter colonies. Additionally, the number of fallen mites and the rate of mite population growth were lower in the colonies of the selected genotype than in those of the unselected genotype. The expression of a gene associated with grooming behavior, AmNrx-1 (neurexin), was significantly higher in the selected stock. Moreover, AmNrx-1 expression was positively correlated with the proportion of mutilated mites but not with mite population growth. AmNrx-1 may have the potential to be used for marker-assisted selection. This study provides evidence that selection for mite-biting behavior reduces V. destructor infestations, increases colony survival and increases the expression of a grooming behavior–associated gene.

scholarly journals Austrian COLOSS Survey of Honey Bee Colony Winter Losses 2018/19 and Analysis of Hive Management Practices

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes Oberreiter ◽  
Robert Brodschneider
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Favourable Effect ◽  
Winter Mortality ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Honey Bee Colony ◽  
Colony Survival ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Loss Rates

We conducted a citizen science survey on overwinter honey bee colony losses in Austria. A total of 1534 beekeepers with 33,651 colonies reported valid loss rates. The total winter loss rate for Austria was 15.2% (95% confidence interval: 14.4–16.1%). Young queens showed a positive effect on colony survival and queen-related losses. Observed queen problems during the season increased the probability of losing colonies to unsolvable queen problems. A notable number of bees with crippled wings during the foraging season resulted in high losses and could serve as an alarm signal for beekeepers. Migratory beekeepers and large operations had lower loss rates than smaller ones. Additionally, we investigated the impact of several hive management practices. Most of them had no significant effect on winter mortality, but purchasing wax from outside the own operation was associated with higher loss rates. Colonies that reported foraging on maize and late catch crop fields or collecting melezitose exhibited higher loss rates. The most common Varroa destructor control methods were a combination of long-term formic acid treatment in summer and oxalic acid trickling in winter. Biotechnical methods in summer had a favourable effect on colony survival.

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