Assessing Varroa destructor acaricide resistance in Apis mellifera colonies of Virginia

Survival of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies has been threatened over the past few decades as Varroa destructor become a growing concern on near-global scale. Prominent treatment methods have included synthetic acaricides amitraz, coumaphos, and tau-fluvalinate. Since widespread resistance to these compounds noted, this study sought investigate V. in Virginia. infestation levels apiaries located three geographic regions Virginia were monitored throughout 2018 field season. By autumn, all had mite populations above recommended threshold. The results screening with glass surface contact bioassays indicated no or These implications future control strategies responsible use may offer an additional option those battling aggressive ectoparasites.