Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees
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Advances and perspectives in selecting resistance traits against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bees Matthieu Guichard1*, Vincent Dietemann1,2, Markus Neuditschko1 and Benjamin Dainat1
Abstract Background: In spite of the implementation of control strategies in honey bee (Apis mellifera) keeping, the invasive parasitic mite Varroa destructor remains one of the main causes of colony losses in numerous countries. Therefore, this parasite represents a serious threat to beekeeping and agro-ecosystems that benefit from the pollination services provided by honey bees. To maintain their stocks, beekeepers have to treat their colonies with acaricides every year. Selecting lineages that are resistant to infestations is deemed to be a more sustainable approach. Review: Over the last three decades, numerous selection programs have been initiated to improve the host–parasite relationship and to support honey bee survival in the presence of the parasite without the need for acaricide treatments. Although resistance traits have been included in the selection strategy of honey bees, it has not been possible to globally solve the V. destructor problem. In this study, we review the literature on the reasons that have potentially limited the success of such selection programs. We compile the available information to assess the relevance of selected traits and the potential environmental effects that distort trait expression and colony survival. Limitations to the implementation of these traits in the field are also discussed. Conclusions: Improving our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying resistance to V. destructor to increase trait relevance, optimizing selection programs to reduce environmental effects, and communicating selection outcomes are all crucial to efforts aiming at establishing a balanced relationship between the invasive parasite and its new host. Background The western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is one of the most valuable pollinators worldwide [1–3]. Over the last few decades, increased honey bee colony losses have been reported, mostly in the Northern hemisphere [4–6], possibly as a result of a growing number of interacting threats, such as habitat losses, nutritional deficiencies, pesticides, pests and pathogens [7–9]. Among the parasitic threats, the invasive mite Varroa destructor is often identified as the main macrobiotic cause of colony losses of A. mellifera in many regions [6, *Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern, Switzerland Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
10–14]. This parasite originates from Southeast Asia, and has shifted from its original host, A. cerana, to A. mellifera at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the latter was imported to the Russian Far East [15, 16]. The parasite rapidly spread around the world due to the globalized trade with A. mellifera queens and swarms
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