Understanding the Enemy: A Review of the Genetics, Behavior and Chemical Ecology of Varroa destructor, the Parasitic Mite of Apis mellifera

Abstract

Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) is arguably the most damaging parasitic mite that attacks honey bees worldwide. Since its initial host switch from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Varroa has become a widely successful invasive species, attacking honey bees on almost every continent where apiculture is practiced. Two haplotypes of V. destructor (Japanese and Korean) parasitize A. mellifera, both of which vector various honey bee-associated viruses. As the population of Varroa grows within a colony in the spring and summer, so do the levels of viral infections. Not surprisingly, high Varroa parasitization impacts bees at the individual level, causing bees to exhibit lower weight, decreased learning capacity, and shorter lifespan. High levels of Varroa infestation can lead to colony-wide varroosis and eventually colony death, especially when no control measures are taken against the mites. Varroa has become a successful parasite of A. mellifera because of its ability to reproduce within both drone cells and worker cells, which allows populations to expand rapidly. Varroa uses several chemical cues to complete its life cycle, many of which remain understudied and should be further explored. Given the growing reports of pesticide resistance by Varroa in several countries, a better understanding of the mite’s basic biology is needed to find alternative pest management strategies. This review focuses on the genetics, behavior, and chemical ecology of V. destructor within A. mellifera colonies, and points to areas of research that should be exploited to better control this pervasive honey bee enemy.

Spatial clusters of Varroa destructor control strategies in Europe

“…After a shift from its original host, the Eastern honey bee Apis cerana, to the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, the parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman 2000) became the main problem in beekeeping worldwide (Rosenkranz et al 2010;Noël et al 2020;Traynor et al 2020;Vilarem et al 2021;Reams and Rangel 2022). The mite, today found almost worldwide (with the exception of Australia), reached Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, and North America in the late 1980s (Rosenkranz et al 2010;Traynor et al 2020).…”

Evaluation of low-cost, easy-to-prepare protein diets using beer yeast, sugar cane yeast and texturized soy protein for Africanized Apis mellifera in apiaries in Santa Catarina, Brazil

“…The Varroa destructor mite is considered the main harmful parasite to bees around the world, so this evaluation is extremely necessary, considering that these cause bees to lose weight, reduce their learning ability and have a shorter life expectancy. Eventually high levels of Varroa infestation can lead to colony-wide varroosis, causing mass death of bees (Reams & Rangel, 2022).…”

The effect of Israeli acute paralysis virus infection on honey bee brood care behavior

“…This high amount of activity around a single larva, let alone the thousands of other larvae, provides an excellent opportunity for pathogens to spread through the oral secretions produced to feed larvae 19 . The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor , which vectors viruses such as Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) 20 – 22 , also utilizes brood care behavior, using nurses as vehicles to introduce mites to new larval hosts 20 , 21 , 23 , 24 . Viruses can also be spread through the oral-gut pathway from workers to the brood.…”