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The article explores the use of hypothermia as a non-chemical method to control varroa mites in bee colonies. The study conducted an experiment on six bee colonies and found that hypothermia had a significant impact on varroa infestation. It was observed that hypothermia primarily affected the developing descendants of the mites, while adult mites and their non-moving stages were resistant. This suggests that hypothermia could be an effective way to reduce varroa infestation in bee colonies. The article also emphasizes the importance of implementing varroa control methods in the springtime to maintain the productivity of bee colonies. [Extracted from the article]

Varroa destructor is one of the main causes of colony losses of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Many efforts exist to breed honey bees resistant to V. destructor. Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) is commonly selected behavioural trait; VSH workers remove the pupae of mite infested brood cells with high efficiency, interrupting the reproduction of the mite. The cues and triggers for this behaviour are not yet fully understood. To determine what elicits this removal behaviour, we examined preselected VSH workers responses to four different groups of objects inserted into freshly capped cells: Live mites, dead mites, odour reduced mites, and glass beads. These were also compared to control cells that were opened and closed without inserting any object. The pupae in cells containing inorganic objects (glass beads) were removed at similar rates to the control, demonstrating that an object alone does not trigger a removal response. Dead and odour reduced mites were removed at a higher frequency than control cells, but less frequently than live mites. Workers sometimes removed items resting near the top of the cell without removing the pupa. Our results demonstrate that although mite odour from dead mites triggers removal behaviour, the pupa of cells containing live mites were removed more frequently, suggesting that other cues (i.e. odour from feeding wound) or signals (i.e. pupal movement to signal distress) are important. Future research should focus on elucidating these other cues or signals from the brood and mites, as mite presence alone seems to be insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study conducted at the University of Pisa in Italy focused on developing sustainable solutions for managing arthropod pests and vectors, specifically mites and ticks that impact human and animal health. The research explored nano- and microformulated botanicals, essential oils, and plant extracts as toxicant or repellent treatments for these pests. The study highlighted the need for further research on certain species like Sarcoptes scabiei and Varroa destructor, which are often overlooked compared to other mites and ticks. The findings were published in the journal Industrial Crops and Products and were peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the impact of aging and Varroa parasitism on the blood-brain barrier of honeybees. The blood-brain barrier is a protective layer of cells that surround the brain. The study found that the paracellular permeability of the blood-brain barrier remains stable throughout the lifespan of honeybees and after exposure to Varroa mites. However, the transcellular permeability of the blood-brain barrier increases in honeybees with a high Varroa load. Understanding the effects of age and stress on the blood-brain barrier could help protect honeybee health. [Extracted from the article]

Dalan Animal Health, Inc. has announced new experimental findings regarding their bacterial vaccine's potential to reduce Deformed Wing Virus variant B (DWV-B) in honeybee populations. The study showed an 83% reduction in DWV-B levels, independent of mite load. DWV-B is a major variant of the virus that causes deformed wings in honeybees and is transmitted by the Varroa destructor mite. The reduction in virus load is significant as DWV-B is increasingly prevalent worldwide and is associated with overwintering colony losses. The results open up new possibilities for combating viral threats in honeybee populations. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the career and research efforts of entomologist Samuel Ramsey. Topics explored include the way Ramsey managed to overcome his initial fear of insects when he was young, his research on protecting honeybees which focused on controlling insect pests such as Varroa mites and Tropi mites, and his commitment to increasing public awareness of insects.

The "true" honey bee Apis cerana has become indirectly tolerant against its coexisted ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor (initially called Varroa jacobsoni), when the host had already become tolerant as a victim of its co-evolving predators (mainly wasps and hornets) in SE Asia. Responsible tolerance factor against the mite predators and thereafter against the parasite seems to be the «sparing feeding» of its worker bee brood. The sparing feeding characterizes the African races of the also true honey bee Apis mellifera too, which did not co-exist with the Varroa mite during their own evolutionary process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the co-infection of honey bees with two viruses, deformed wing virus (DWV) and sacbrood virus (SBV). While these viruses are usually commensal, they can become pathogenic in certain situations. Previous studies have focused on the effects of co-infection on honey bee brood, but this study examines the impact on adult honey bees. The researchers found that co-inoculation of DWV and SBV increased the virulence of DWV and promoted the replication of both viruses. The immune responses of adult honey bees varied depending on the DWV genotypes and the source of viral replication. It is important to note that this preprint has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the change in behavior and use of space by honeybees to avoid the spread of Varroa destructor mites based on a study of infected wild and caged bees published in the periodical "Science Advances."

The article focuses on the arrival and impact of the Varroa mite in Australia, highlighting its threat to honeybee populations and the subsequent consequences for the beekeeping industry and agriculture. It highlights the need for a comprehensive National Strategy to manage the Varroa mite and discusses potential repercussions for both recreational and commercial beekeepers, as well as the agricultural sector relying on bee pollination.

Hopefully, the Varroa incursion will lead to strengthened biosecurity for honey bee pests and diseases we do not have in the country yet, like Tropilaelaps mites. We also need to strengthen compliance with the honey bee biosecurity code of practice and improve monitoring of bee losses, bee viruses and native bees. This parasitic mite (Varroa destructor) lives in honey bee colonies, feeding on pupae and adult bees. [Extracted from the article]

The potential to eradicate the varroa destructor is no longer possible and industry and government partners will switch to a management approach to minimize the impact of the pest, the NSW government said in a statement following a Tuesday meeting of the National Management Group. (Bloomberg) -- Australia has given up the fight to eradicate a deadly parasite that's ravaged bee populations across the world after the pest spread rapidly across New South Wales, the nation's largest honey-producing region. [Extracted from the article]

Read More: Rapid Spread of Bee Killing Mite Could Cost Australia Billions The National Management Group, the decision-making body for exotic plant pest and animal disease eradication programs, considered a number of factors for why elimination had not been successful. (Bloomberg) -- Australia has given up the fight to eradicate a deadly parasite that's ravaged bee populations across the world after the pest spread rapidly across New South Wales, the nation's largest honey-producing region. [Extracted from the article]

Wild honey bee colonies--both truly wild (in trees and buildings) and simulated wild (in small hives)--were studied to determine their life-history traits, to see if these traits have changed now that these colonies are infested with Varroa destructor. Most colonies (97%) survive summers, but only 23% of founder (first-year) colonies and 84% of established colonies survive winters. Established colonies have a mean lifespan of 5-6 years and most (87%) have a queen turnover (probably by swarming) each summer. A population model shows that these life-history traits produce a stable population of colonies. Remarkably, the suite of colony life-history traits found in the 2010s (with V. destructor) matches that found in the 1970s (without V. destructor). It seems likely that the wild colonies living near Ithaca, NY, possess defenses against V. destructor that are not costly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on reporting of losses to honeybee hives over the winter and higher-than-normal honeybee deaths by beekeepers beginning in 2006. Topics include reasons for losses to genetically modified crops, high voltage electric transmission lines and pesticides; creation of a national strategy for promoting honeybees and other pollinators by former U.S. President Barack Obama administration; and most recent bee killers Varroa mites and tracheal mites first appeared in the 1980s.

This review aims to provide a survey of the diversity and distribution of important bee infections and possible management and treatment options, so that honey bee colony health can be maintained. Keywords: Shahrekord; Iran; Asia; Risk and Prevention; Veterinary Medicine EN Shahrekord Iran Asia Risk and Prevention Veterinary Medicine 17 17 1 07/03/23 20230707 NES 230707 2023 JUL 3 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Veterinary Week -- New research on Veterinary Medicine is the subject of a report. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on honeybee expert Jerry Hayes who joined agricultural biotechnology firm Monsanto to prevent bees from varroa mites. Topics discussed include columns written by Hayes in the "American Bee Journal," development of RNA interference (RNAi) to prevent mite population and views of Hayes regarding impact of varroa mites on honeybee population.

The worldwide decline in honeybee colonies during the past 50 years has often been linked to the spread of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and its interaction with certain honeybee viruses carried by Varroa mites. In this paper, we propose a honeybee-mite-virus model that incorporates (1) parasitic interactions between honeybees and the Varroa mites; (2) five virus transmission terms between honeybees and mites at different stages of Varroa mites: from honeybees to honeybees, from adult honeybees to the phoretic mites, from brood to the reproductive mites, from the reproductive mites to brood, and from adult honeybees to the phoretic mites; and (3) Allee effects in the honeybee population generated by its internal organization such as division of labor. We provide completed local and global analysis for the full system and its subsystems. Our analytical and numerical results allow us have a better understanding of the synergistic effects of parasitism and virus infections on honeybee population dynamics and its persistence. Interesting findings from our work include: (a) due to Allee effects experienced by the honeybee population, initial conditions are essential for the survival of the colony. (b) Low adult honeybees to brood ratios have destabilizing effects on the system which generate fluctuating dynamics that lead to a catastrophic event where both honeybees and mites suddenly become extinct. This catastrophic event could be potentially linked to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) of honeybee colonies. (c) Virus infections may have stabilizing effects on the system, and parasitic mites could make disease more persistent. Our model illustrates how the synergy between the parasitic mites and virus infections consequently generates rich dynamics including multiple attractors where all species can coexist or go extinct depending on initial conditions. Our findings may provide important insights on honeybee viruses and parasites and how to best control them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the loss of honeybees colonies named as colony collapse disorder (CCD) in the U.S. and discusses initiation of the Bee Informed Partnership program analyzing amount of colonies lost, parasites especially varroa mite causing problem and poor nutrition of bees.

The article reports on the search for the Buckfast bee. It mentions that the superbee was made by Brother Adam or Karl Kehrle which resists the Isle of Wight disease and was sold worldwide. It also notes the removal of Kehrle from his religious career due to conflict with his beekeeping operation as well as the devastation of Varroa destructor in England and the U.S.

Biosecurity officials last month imposed a bee lockdown following thedetection of the Varroa destructor mite, a discovery which haschallenged Australia's status as the only major honey producer to haveavoided establishment of the pest. (Bloomberg) -- Australia will relax some curbs imposed on the movementof bees by honey producers following the discovery of a mite that hasravaged global hives. [Extracted from the article]

The effectiveness of formic acid and thymol in the control of the mite Varroa destructor was evaluated from June to October 2011 in an apiary of 16 Africanized honeybee colonies (the colonies did not receive chemical treatment at all) located in Atenas, Alajuela. The apiary was randomly divided in three groups (A, B and C) of 8, 5 and 3 colonies, respectively. Group A was treated with 150 g of formic acid at 65%, group B received 2 applications of 25 g thymol and colonies of group C were used as control. Varroa traps were placed on the bottom board of each colony to collect the mites. After 4 weeks, all colonies were treated with 4 strips of flumethrin to kill the remaining mites and to assess the effectiveness of the products. Furthermore, the mortality of the different stages of varroa was evaluated in capped worker brood cells checking the pupa and the bottom of the cell for mites. The effectiveness of formic acid and thymol in the control of varroa mites was 94.7% and 96.9% respectively. In colonies treated with formic acid varroa mortality occurred mainly during 72 h after application, meanwhile in the group treated with thymol the mite mortality was observed mainly one week after treatment. In addition, in the group of colonies treated with formic acid 86% of mite mortality occurred in capped brood cells, while in colonies treated with thymol and control colonies the varroa mortality in capped cells was less than 10%. In conclusion, the effectiveness of formic acid and thymol in the control of varroa mites was high, for which reason both products can be considered an alternative for the integrated management of varroa mites in Africanized honeybees colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a simple SIR-Ross-MacDonald like model of the infestation of a honeybee (Apis mellifera) colony by the Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), which is transmitted by parasitic varroa mites (Varroa destructor) as vector. This is a four dimensional system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the dependent variables healthy and virus infected bees, number of mites in the colony overall and number of mites that carry the virus. In the autonomous case we study the model with analytical techniques deriving conditions under which the bee colony can fight off a ABPV epidemic. These results are then used to design and discuss numerical simulations of the more realistic case with periodic coefficient functions that mimic the seasonal changes in bee colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the decline in the bee population around the world and the arrival of Varroa destructor mite in Australia. It talks about the link between colony collapse disorder (CCD) and the Varroa destructor mite. It also looks into ways on how to protect pollinators from the notorious mite, the success of beekeepers in managed pollination, and the potential of native bees as crop pollinators.

The article offers information on the possible causes of bee colony losses across the world. The authors noted that bee culture has declined in Europe and the U.S. for decades, as indicated by the decreasing numbers of managed beehives. The authors highlighted the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in the U.S., to which experts found no exact cause of colony losses. However, possible causes of CCD include the pest mite Varroa destructor.