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 . Beekeepers, researchers argue, need to start preparing for that inevitability. 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 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 .