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One of the most significant threats to honeybee colonies is the parasite Varroa destructor, AKA the Varroa mite. LSU AgCenter is collaborating with the USDA Agricultural Research Service on their Areawide Pest Management Program to develop comprehensive integrative pest management strategies to mitigate the effects of the Varroa mite in commercial beekeeping operations throughout U.S.
Varroa mites are external parasites that feed on the fat bodies and hemolymph of honey bees. Through their feeding, they cause significant damage to developing larvae and pupae and transmit a variety of detrimental honey bee diseases. Varroa mites were originally parasites of the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) until the 1940’s and 50’s when they spread to colonies of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), the species commonly used in beekeeping. Since the switch to the western honey bee, the mite has achieved a global distribution and can be found in nearly every honey bee colony in the world. The ubiquity and destructive properties of this parasite make it the biggest threat to beekeeping, contributing to the unprecedented levels of colony loss we have observed in recent years.
Beekeepers are broken down into three main categories based on the number of colonies they manage: hobby beekeepers, sideliner beekeepers, and commercial beekeepers. Beekeepers with 1-50 colonies are considered hobbyists and are not typically keeping bees for a profit. Sideliners keep between 51 and 500 colonies and rely partially on income through colony products (honey, wax, etc) or local pollination agreements. Commercial beekeepers keep over 500 colonies, with some operations maintaining tens of thousands of colonies across multiple apiaries and make their money through pollination contracts and selling colony products.
Honeybees contribute over $15 billion annually to our agricultural system through their pollination services. Commercial beekeeping operations ship their colonies around the country to pollinate the crops that rely on them, such as almonds, apples, blueberries, and many others. Many have routes that their bees follow so the same colonies can pollinate multiple crops throughout the year. Without commercial beekeepers, we simply wouldn’t have many of the fruits and vegetables we rely on.
In recent years, beekeepers have reported average annual colony losses around 40%. This is due in large part to the stress caused by the Varroa mite. These unsustainable losses have been mitigated in the past using amitraz, a chemical miticide that has historically been very effective at killing the mites. However, heavy reliance on this tool has led to the development of amitraz resistant mites, rendering this treatment option ineffective.
The main goal of this collaborative effort is to develop a comprehensive integrated control management strategy for the Varroa mite. This will require an approach that relies on novel chemical treatments, mite-conscious management practices, and the implementation of mite-resistant honeybees.
The unique resources at the USDA, LSU AgCenter, and other collaborating institutions will allow us to shape sustainable Varroa control strategies that will support the crucial work done by the U.S. beekeeping industry.
