The Varroa parasitic mite may be the biggest threat to honey bee health , not deformed wing virus , according to University of Sydney researchers . Until now , it was thought the mites spread and worsened the effects of the virus in bees , but the latest study suggests that the relationship between mites and the virus is tenuous . The researchers said the deformed wing virus alone did not kill the honey bees , but the tissue - eating bacteria can transmit deadlier viruses , such as respiratory virus and black blood cell virus . As such , the researchers said efforts should be put towards preventing the mites ' spread .
The Varroa parasitic mite may be the biggest threat to honey bee health, not deformed wing virus, according to University of Sydney researchers. Until now, it was thought the mites spread and worsened the effects of the virus in bees, but the latest study suggests that the relationship between mites and the virus is tenuous. The researchers found the deformed wing virus alone did not kill the honey bees, but the tissue-eating mite can transmit deadlier viruses, such as Sacbrood virus and black queen cell virus. As such, the researchers said efforts should be put towards preventing the mites' spread.