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. Many countries actively select for honey bee populations that can tolerate the Varroa mite without treatment. Researchers from the University's School of Veterinary Medicine have discovered a new strain of varroa mite, which they believe could pose an even greater risk than the current strain.
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. Researchers from the University's School of Veterinary Medicine have discovered a new strain of varroa mite, which they believe could pose an even greater risk than the current strain.