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Challenges for developing pathogen-based biopesticides against Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae)

Apidologie volume 43, pages 501–514 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Control of the major pest of apiculture, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor using pathogen-based biopesticides would resolve many of the problems experienced with other forms of control, such as chemical control, hive manipulation, or selection of resistant honeybee strains. Several research groups have developed and tested fungus-based biopesticides in laboratory and field experiments, with varying results. While biopesticides have many desirable qualities, including much lower risk of honey contamination and of pest resistance, future research needs to focus on: (1) identification of the sub-population(s) of V. destructor affected by biopesticides and the duration and impact of the application on mite population dynamics; (2) development of an effective, easily applied formulation, and (3) evaluation of possible side or sublethal effects on bees themselves. Biopesticides need to be evaluated on the field (colony) level in addition to the laboratory level. Researchers should consider providing data that can be easily used to evaluate effect, such as mite drop counts onto sticky boards coupled with assessments of phoretic mite density or brood cell mite density. Exploration for naturally occurring pathogens should be conducted in the native range of V. destructor in Asia.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J.J. Adamczyk, R.R. James, P. Moran, and two anonymous reviewers for their help in improving the manuscript. Financial support was given by the Montagu foundation to JP and the FP7 projects BEEDOC and STEP to PN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Honey Bee Research Unit, Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, 2413 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, TX, 78596, USA

    William Grems Meikle

  2. Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, 2000 East Allen Road, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA

    Diana Sammataro

  3. Swiss Bee Research Centre, Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux Research Station ALP, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, CH-3003, Bern, Switzerland

    Peter Neumann & Jochen Pflugfelder

  4. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, 6140, Grahamstown, South Africa

    Peter Neumann

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Correspondence to William Grems Meikle.

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Manuscript Editor: David Tarpy

Défis à relever pour le développement de biopesticides à base de pathogènes contre Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae).

Apis mellifera / Varroa destructor / lutte biologique / champignons entomopathogènes

Anforderungen für die Entwicklung von Biopestiziden auf Pathogenbasis gegen Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae).

Apis mellifera / Varroa destructor / biologische Kontrollle / entomopathogene Pilze

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Meikle, W.G., Sammataro, D., Neumann, P. et al. Challenges for developing pathogen-based biopesticides against Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae). Apidologie 43, 501–514 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0118-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0118-0

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