Experimental and Applied Acarology (2021) 85, 205-221

Spyridon Vlogiannitis, Wim Jonckheere, Dries Laget, Dirk C. de Graaf, John Vontas and Thomas Van Leeuwen (2021)
Pyrethroid target-site resistance mutations in populations of the honey bee parasite Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) from Flanders, Belgium
Experimental and Applied Acarology 85 (2-4), 205-221
Abstract: The honey bee ectoparasite Varroa destructor is considered the major threat to apiculture, as untreated colonies of Apis mellifera usually collapse within a few years. In order to control this mite, many beekeepers rely on a limited number of approved synthetic acaricides, including the pyrethroids tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin. Due to the intensive use of these products, resistance is now commonplace in many beekeeping regions across the world. In the present study, the occurrence of amino acid substitutions at residue L925 of the voltage-gate sodium channel—the pyrethroid target site—was studied in Varroa populations collected throughout Flanders, Belgium. Dose–response bioassays supported the involvement of the frequently observed L925V substitution in flumethrin resistance, resulting in a 12.64-fold increase of the LC₅₀ in a Varroa population mostly consisting of homozygous 925 V/V mites. With the presence of L925 substitutions in about four out of 10 screened apiaries, the use of pyrethroid-based varroacides in Flanders, including the recently released PolyVar® Yellow, should be carefully considered.
(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): John Vontas, Thomas Van Leeuwen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pesticide resistance of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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