Varroamites and honey bee health: canVarroaexplain part of the colony losses?

Abstract

-Since 2006, disastrous colony losses have been reported in Europe and North America. The causes of the losses were not readily apparent and have been attributed to overwintering mortalities and to a new phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder. Most scientists agree that there is no single explanation for the extensive colony losses but that interactions between different stresses are involved. As the presence of Varroa in each colony places an important pressure on bee health, we here address the question of how Varroa contributes to the recent surge in honey bee colony losses.Varroa destructor / Apis mellifera / colony collapse disorder / winter losses / honey bee stressors

Impact of Varroa destructor on honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) colony development in South Africa

“…In central European countries, honeybee colonies are considered in danger of collapsing due to Varroa once natural mite fall goes beyond ten mites per day (Le Conte et al 2010). However, none of the colonies showed any signs that they were close to collapsing, suggesting that the damage threshold is higher in A. m. scutellata.…”

The effect of Agaricus brasiliensis extract supplementation on honey bee colonies

“…Unfortunately, dramatic losses of managed honey bee colonies have been reported in Europe and North America over the past decade (vanEngelsdorp et al 2009, Genersch et al 2010, Neumann and Carreck 2010, Potts et al 2010 JEVROSIMA STEVANOVIC et al Ellis et al 2010). As no single explanation for the extensive colony losses has been identified, it is concluded that many biological and environmental stressors, acting alone or in combination, can lead to premature colony mortality (vanEngelsdorp et al 2009, Genersch 2010.…”

Seasonal prevalence of pathogens and parasites in the savannah honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata)

“…The health of honeybees has been one of the most important topics in apicultural research in recent years (Genersch, 2010). This is primarily due to the recent emergence of high honeybee colony losses in many parts of the world (Le Conte et al, 2010;Neumann and Carreck, 2010;Stokstad, 2007;vanEngelsdorp et al, 2008) and the vulnerability of honeybees to parasitic mites, fungi, viruses and bacteria (Bailey and Ball, 1991;Chen et al, 2006;Dietemann et al, 2012;Genersch, 2010;Genersch et al, 2010;Martin, 2001;Ribière et al, 2010;Sammataro et al, 2000). These pathogens and parasites can have harmful effects on honeybee health and the services they offer, which in turn can lead to severe economic losses (Genersch, 2010;Morse and Calderone, 2000;Shen et al, 2005).…”