Impact of Varroa destructor and associated pathologies on the colony collapse disorder affecting honey bees

Varroa mite is the major threat to western honey bee, Apis mellifera, and cause of significant economic losses in apiculture industry. destructor feeds on brood adult bees being responsible for vectoring virus infections other diseases. This study analyses role associated pathogens, such as viruses or fungus Nosema ceranae, their relationships regarding viability bee colony. It has been carried out during one beekeeping season, with subspecies A. m. iberiensis, commonly used industry Spain. Our shows a relationship between presence viral infection by deformed wing acute paralysis virus. ceranae behaved an opportunistic pathogen. In addition, this explored potential naturally occurring subset peptides, humoral immunity bees. The expression antimicrobial peptides abaecin melittin showed levels