Jeyapriya Ganesan, Sumathi Ettiappan, Saminathan Vangili Ramasamy, Renukadevi Perumal, Sasikala Ramasamy, Priya Sundaravadivel Sathiya, Kowsika Sivakumar, Pradeep Subramanian
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Acta Parasitol. 2025 Aug 19;70(5):184. doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01124-w.
The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is the primary factor contributing to global honeybee (Apis mellifera) colony losses, posing a sustainable challenge to apiculture and pollination services. Its intricate life cycle adaptive reproductive strategies, and advanced sensory mechanisms have facilitated its emergence as the most destructive honeybee parasite. V. destructor uses highly specialized feeding strategies that extract essential nutrients from their hosts and introduce various pathogens, causing honeybee health problems. The mite functions as a viral vector, particularly in the case of the transmission and proliferation of deformed wing virus (DWV), which has resulted in significant colony weakening and collapse. V. destructor has emerged as the most destructive ectoparasite of honeybees, compromising both individual bee health and overall colony resilience. Its success is attributed not only to its direct feeding behavior and viral vectoring ability, but also to advanced chemical communication, immune suppression, and behavioral adaptations. Synergistic mite-pathogen interactions highlight the need for effective control measures. Current control approaches include advanced detection systems in the form of Var-Gor, focused neural and viral pathway inhibitions, and other control measures such as essential oils. The development of synergistic management strategies involving biotechnology, genetic resistance, and sustainable treatment alternatives, is critical to control V. destructor infestations. A deeper understanding of the evolutionary arms race between honeybees and V. destructors will be crucial to the development of long-term, sustainable control strategies that safeguard bee populations and preserve pollination services, which are vital to world agriculture. This review aims to synthesize current understanding of V. destructor biology, its interactions with honeybee host (A. mellifera and A. cerana), and the associated microbial and viral pathogens. We also explore recent developments in detection, population dynamics, and sustainable management strategies including botanicals, essential oils, and organic acids. By integrating ecological, physiological, and molecular perspectives, this review highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches to effectively manage Varroa and mitigate its impact on global apiculture.
寄生螨类瓦螨（Varroa destructor）是导致全球蜜蜂（西方蜜蜂，Apis mellifera）蜂群损失的主要因素，对养蜂业和授粉服务构成了持续性挑战。其复杂的生命周期、适应性繁殖策略和先进的感官机制使其成为最具破坏性的蜜蜂寄生虫。瓦螨采用高度专业化的取食策略，从宿主身上获取必需营养并引入各种病原体，导致蜜蜂出现健康问题。这种螨虫充当病毒载体，特别是在传播和扩散残翅病毒（DWV）方面，这已导致蜂群显著衰弱和崩溃。瓦螨已成为对蜜蜂最具破坏性的外寄生虫，损害了个体蜜蜂的健康和整个蜂群的恢复力。它的成功不仅归因于其直接的取食行为和病毒传播能力，还归因于先进的化学通讯、免疫抑制和行为适应。螨虫与病原体的协同相互作用凸显了采取有效控制措施的必要性。当前的控制方法包括以Var - Gor形式的先进检测系统、针对性的神经和病毒途径抑制，以及其他控制措施，如精油。制定涉及生物技术、遗传抗性和可持续治疗替代方案的协同管理策略，对于控制瓦螨侵染至关重要。深入了解蜜蜂与瓦螨之间的进化军备竞赛，对于制定长期、可持续的控制策略以保护蜜蜂种群和维护授粉服务至关重要，而授粉服务对世界农业至关重要。本综述旨在综合当前对瓦螨生物学、其与蜜蜂宿主（西方蜜蜂和东方蜜蜂，A. cerana）的相互作用以及相关微生物和病毒病原体的理解。我们还探讨了检测、种群动态以及可持续管理策略（包括植物提取物、精油和有机酸）的最新进展。通过整合生态、生理和分子视角，本综述强调了采用多学科方法有效管理瓦螨并减轻其对全球养蜂业影响的必要性。
