Science updates: Varroa destructor Population Estimation

 

Science updates:

Varroa destructor Population Estimation

The article titled "Relative effectiveness of methods that sample worker honey bees to estimate Varroa destructor populations in Apis mellifera colonies" is authored by Michelle A. Taylor, R. Mark Goodwin, Heather M. McBrydie, and Bernard C. Dominiak, and was published in Apidologie in 2025.


Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that significantly impacts honey bee colonies, often leading to their demise within 6 to 16 months if not controlled. The study emphasizes the importance of estimating Varroa populations to determine the timing of control measures, as uncontrolled populations can lead to severe economic losses for beekeepers.

 


The research evaluated the efficacy of eight different methods for estimating Varroa populations in samples of 300 adult bees. These methods included icing sugar shake, low-suds detergent wash, ethanol wash, and various smoke applications. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive comparison of these methods, as previous studies often focused on only a few techniques.

 


The findings indicated that the low-suds detergent wash was the most effective method, recovering 86% of Varroa, while the icing sugar shake recovered 78%. The study also explored variables affecting the efficacy of the icing sugar method, such as the amount of sugar used and the duration of exposure. Notably, increasing the number of washes improved recovery rates, with three washes yielding up to 98% recovery.

 


The research highlights the critical need for effective monitoring of Varroa populations to inform treatment decisions. The comparative analysis of sampling methods provides beekeepers with valuable insights into the most reliable techniques for estimating Varroa populations in their hives.

Reference:

Taylor, M. A., Goodwin, R. M., McBrydie, H. M., Cox, H. M., & Dominiak, B. C. (2025). Relative effectiveness of methods that sample worker honey bees to estimate Varroa destructor populations in Apis mellifera colonies. Apidologie, 56(1), 1-17.

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