Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a honeybee viral pathogen either persisting as an inapparent infection or resulting in wing deformity. The occurrence of deformity is associated with the transmission of DWV through Varroa destructor during pupal stages. Such infections with DWV add to the pathology of V. destructor and play a major role in colony collapse in the course of varroosis. Using a recentl...

Elevated winter losses of managed honeybee colonies are a major concern, but the underlying mechanisms remain controversial. Among the suspects are the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, the microsporidian Nosema ceranae, and associated viruses. Here we hypothesize that pathogens reduce the life expectancy of winter bees, thereby constituting a proximate mechanism for colony losses. A monitoring...

We investigated the effect of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor on the immunological and nutritional condition of honey bees, Apis mellifera, from the perspective of the individual bee and the colony. Pupae, newly-emerged adults and foraging adults were sampled from honey bee colonies at one site in S. Texas, USA. Varroa‑infested bees displayed elevated titer of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), su...

Varroa destructor in combination with one or more stressors, such as low food availability or chemical exposure, is considered to be one of the main causes for honey bee colony losses. We examined the interactive effect of pollen availability on the protein content and body weight of young bees that emerged with and without V. destructor infestation. With reduced pollen availability, and the co...

The varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is a devastating ectoparasite of the honey bees Apis mellifera and A. cerana. Control of these mites in beehives is a challenge in part due to the lack of toxic agents that are specific to mites and not to the host honey bee. In searching for a specific toxic target of varroa mites, we investigated two closely related neuropeptidergic systems, tachykinin-rela...

BACKGROUND The ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, is considered to be one of the most significant threats to apiculture around the world. Chemical cues are known to play a significant role in the host-finding behavior of Varroa. The mites distinguish between bees from different task groups, and prefer nurses over foragers. We examined the possibility of disrupting the Varroa--honey bee inte...

The globally distributed ectoparasite Varroa destructor is a vector for viral pathogens of the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera), in particular the Iflavirus Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). In the absence of Varroa low levels DWV occur, generally causing asymptomatic infections. Conversely, Varroa-infested colonies show markedly elevated virus levels, increased overwintering colony losses, with impa...

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor has been the dominant subject of discussion among bee scientists and beekeepers worldwide. Unfortunately, few literatures has reported the presence of this dreaded honey bee parasites in Sub-Saharan Africa until 2012 when Nigeria was listed among impacted countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, beekeeping activities have long been plagued with many problems such a...

Bees are the major pollinators in natural ecosystems and agricultural production of several crops used for human consumption. However, they exposed to multiple stressors that causing a serious decline their population. We highlight one among them, Varroa destructor mite (Varroa) causes severe impacts on health honey bee colonies, transmitting variety viruses can affect survival ability individu...

background: the varroa destructor varroasis is a very serious parasite of honeybee apis mellifera . the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of varroa treatment using organic acid (oxalic acid) in algeria identify­ing its side effects on bee colonies. methods : treatment was conducted in one apiary consisting 30 colonies kept in langstroth hives kind. oxalic acid dripped di...