Martin, SJ. 2001. The role of Varroa and viral pathogens in the collapse of honeybee colonies: a modelling approach. J. App. Ecol. 38(5): 1082-1093.
Summary: The mites that affect bees are vectors for disease, therefore being a large contributor to colony death. The mites contribute to the number of bees affected by deformed wing virus and acute paralysis virus, the acute paralysis is a chronic problem and therefore resides rather permanently in a hive, however acute paralysis required over 10,000 mites to be introduced for a large scale infection to occur. The less imperative pathogen, deformed wing virus, required only 2,000-3,600 mites to be introduced to the hive to have an effect on the colonies overall health.
Cycles that both the mites …show more content…
In temperate zones the bees are incapable of fighting off the infection, and bee keepers have yet to develop a treatment that is safe, effective, and easy to apply. Therefore this Varroa mite is able to dramatically weaken a hive’s health and allow for other types of viruses to eradicate the hive completely. This study details many aspects of Varroa that are currently known. Information regarding bother the biology and pathology of these mites is important for elucidating and understanding possible tolerance mechanisms in its honey bee host. Breeding for tolerance is only just beginning but looks promising once more research has been conducted. In the meantime, treatment by apiculturists can be done and involves techniques such as the administration of synthetic acaricides of varying potency, herbal agents, and propolis, or various biotechnical methods including the application of ultrasound, strategic heat, traps, or the introduction of a predator or parasite of Varroa. Without these treatments, most honey bee colonies in temperate regions would collapse in less than three years. There are four mites in the Genus Varroa and their virulence toward A. mellifera is not uniform. V. destructor is the only mite of economic importance today. Their population growth is variable but can be explosive, devastating a colony themselves and by indirect pathogen
Summary: The mites that affect bees are vectors for disease, therefore being a large contributor to colony death. The mites contribute to the number of bees affected by deformed wing virus and acute paralysis virus, the acute paralysis is a chronic problem and therefore resides rather permanently in a hive, however acute paralysis required over 10,000 mites to be introduced for a large scale infection to occur. The less imperative pathogen, deformed wing virus, required only 2,000-3,600 mites to be introduced to the hive to have an effect on the colonies overall health.
Cycles that both the mites …show more content…
In temperate zones the bees are incapable of fighting off the infection, and bee keepers have yet to develop a treatment that is safe, effective, and easy to apply. Therefore this Varroa mite is able to dramatically weaken a hive’s health and allow for other types of viruses to eradicate the hive completely. This study details many aspects of Varroa that are currently known. Information regarding bother the biology and pathology of these mites is important for elucidating and understanding possible tolerance mechanisms in its honey bee host. Breeding for tolerance is only just beginning but looks promising once more research has been conducted. In the meantime, treatment by apiculturists can be done and involves techniques such as the administration of synthetic acaricides of varying potency, herbal agents, and propolis, or various biotechnical methods including the application of ultrasound, strategic heat, traps, or the introduction of a predator or parasite of Varroa. Without these treatments, most honey bee colonies in temperate regions would collapse in less than three years. There are four mites in the Genus Varroa and their virulence toward A. mellifera is not uniform. V. destructor is the only mite of economic importance today. Their population growth is variable but can be explosive, devastating a colony themselves and by indirect pathogen