The Varroa mite, a Devastating Parasite of Western Honeybees and an Economic Threat to Beekeeping

Beekeepers produce honey and wax, but the most Important aspect of beekeeping is the pollination of crops. Beekeeping with the western honeybee is threatened by the ectoparasite Varroa jacobsoni. which was first found on the eastern honeybee. If they are to provide the required number of colonies for pollination, and to produce honey and wax, beekeepers must be able to control the Varroa mite in their colonies. Without annual chemical treatments the colonies become heavily damaged and will eventually die, but using chemicals leads to residues in the honeybee products. Knowledge of the biology of the Varroa mite and its relationship with the honeybee colony now makes it possible to control the mite using biotechnical methods rather than chemicals. All such control treatments involve changes in colony management and Increased running costs, and therefore put up the prices of the products. The latest approach to the problem is selection of Varroa-tolerant honeybee strains.