Researchers have identified certain chemical compounds that could help fight infestations of the parasitic Varroa destructor mite, a major pest for beekeepers. The mites use smell to distinguish between different worker types in the bee colony, preferring younger ‘nurse’ bees over older foragers.
The team found that treating the bees with certain chemical compounds confused the mites and reversed this preference, which could reduce the strain on the more sensitive nurse bees. The compounds have fewer side effects on bees than currently used anti-mite compounds, and offer potential new strategies for controlling this pest.
Original research paper published in PLoS ONE on September 16, 2014.
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