Dossier
Varroa mites
Coverage of Varroa mites in the Nexus archive.
- Spider venom kills varroa mites without harming honeybees
Spider venom has been found to effectively kill varroa mites, a major threat to honeybee colonies, without harming the bees themselves. Researchers suggest this discovery could lead to new treatments to protect honeybees from mite infestations.
- These California bees are beating a killer that’s wiping out colonies
A hybrid honeybee in Southern California shows resilience against Varroa mites, a major cause of colony losses, by carrying fewer mites and requiring less chemical treatment. The bees' larvae are also less attractive to the parasites, suggesting early-life resistance.