Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide

Kirsten Traynor; Fanny Mondet; Jaochim R. de Miranda; Maeva Techer; Vienna Kowallik; Melissa Oddie; Panuwan Chantawannakul; Alison McAfee

doi:10.20944/preprints202002.0374.v2

Preprint Review Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

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)

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.

Host-parasite; honey bee; varroa; virus; mite control

Comment 1

Received: 2 April 2020
Commenter: Alison McAfee
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author

Comment: Various changes made in response to reviewer requests

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Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey bees Worldwide

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