Version 1
: Received: 24 February 2020 / Approved: 25 February 2020 / Online: 25 February 2020 (11:42:51 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 31 March 2020 / Approved: 2 April 2020 / Online: 2 April 2020 (12:16:16 CEST)
How to cite:
Traynor, K.; Mondet, F.; R. de Miranda, J.; Techer, M.; Kowallik, V.; Oddie, M.; Chantawannakul, P.; McAfee, A. Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide. Preprints.org2020, 2020020374. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202002.0374.v2
Traynor, K.; Mondet, F.; R. de Miranda, J.; Techer, M.; Kowallik, V.; Oddie, M.; Chantawannakul, P.; McAfee, A. Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide. Preprints.org 2020, 2020020374. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202002.0374.v2
Cite as:
Traynor, K.; Mondet, F.; R. de Miranda, J.; Techer, M.; Kowallik, V.; Oddie, M.; Chantawannakul, P.; McAfee, A. Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide. Preprints.org2020, 2020020374. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202002.0374.v2
Traynor, K.; Mondet, F.; R. de Miranda, J.; Techer, M.; Kowallik, V.; Oddie, M.; Chantawannakul, P.; McAfee, A. Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide. Preprints.org 2020, 2020020374. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202002.0374.v2
Abstract
The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has shaken the beekeeping and pollination industries since its spread from its native host, the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), to the naïve European honey bee (A. mellifera) used commercially for pollination and honey production around the globe. Varroa is the greatest threat to honey bee health. Worrying observations include increasing acaricide resistance in the varroa population and sinking economic treatment thresholds, suggesting that the mites or their vectored viruses are becoming more virulent. Highly infested weak colonies facilitate mite dispersal and disease transmission to stronger and healthier colonies. Here, we review recent developments in the biology, pathology and management of varroa, and integrate older knowledge that is less well known.
Keywords
Host-parasite; honey bee; varroa; virus; mite control
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Parasitology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Alison McAfee
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author