20235118141246

There are many stressors contributing to poor health in honey bee colonies that are used for pollination of almonds, apples, blueberries, pumpkins and many other healthy foods. However, the Varroa mite, a devastating parasite of honey bees, is consistently identified as the most serious threat to honey bees.

Many commercial beekeepers providing hives for crop pollination are struggling to manage Varroa as this pest has evolved resistance to common control methods. Despite the challenges, some beekeepers have been successful at using a range of genetic, cultural and chemical Varroa control tactics in an integrated pest management approach.

Widespread adoption of these practices across commercial beekeeping has been limited by barriers to communication driven by a lack of objective data on the efficacy and timing of Varroa control methods and an accounting of the economic costs. Even among beekeepers that are successfully managing Varroa today, new approaches for Varroa control are badly needed to handle future Varroa outbreaks.

To reduce honey bee colony losses and maximize the strength of colonies available for crop pollination, beekeepers need (1) a re-evaluation of the efficacy and economics of using various combinations of currently available Varroa management tools, (2) development of new chemical controls that overcome resistance, and (3) integration and implementation of all approaches into comprehensive Varroa management plans.

Ohio State University

10.309 - Specialty Crop Research Initiative

Institute of Food Production and Sustainability (IFPS) [USDA - NIFA]

Columbus, Ohio 43210-1016 United States

Single Zip Code

USDA-NIFA-SCRI-009765