Apidologie (2017) 48, 78-92

Erika Plettner, Nurit Eliash, Nitin K. Singh, Govardhana R. Pinnelli and Victoria Soroker (2017)
The chemical ecology of host-parasite interaction as a target of Varroa destructor control agents
Apidologie 48 (1), 78-92
Abstract: Honey bees and their ectoparasite Varroa destructor communicate through chemical signals among themselves, but they also eavesdrop on each other's chemical cues. We summarize semiochemicals of honey bees and Varroa, and their roles in honey bee-Varroa interactions. We also give an overview of current Varroa control methods, which can be classified into three categories: (1) chemical control methods with acaricides, (2) biotechnical intervention, and (3) bee breeding programs. Widely used synthetic chemical acaricides are failing due to the emergence of resistant mites. Therefore, new methods are being sought for Varroa control, and methods that target the semiochemical interactions between bees and mites are among the candidates. We review our discovery of compounds that alter the host choice of Varroa mites (from nurse to forager) in laboratory tests. Any semiochemical-based methods are still in the experimental stage and need validation in the field.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Victoria Soroker

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Varroa destructor