Varroaresistant

Varroaresistant is a term used in apiculture to describe honey bee stocks or colonies that display reduced susceptibility to Varroa destructor mites. They exhibit traits that limit mite reproduction or enhance mite removal, leading to lower mite loads and improved colony survival under Varroa pressure. It is not synonymous with complete immunity.

Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that infests honey bee brood, feeding on developing bees and vectoring viruses such as deformed wing virus. High mite levels can devastate colonies, so varroaresistant lines are valuable for sustaining populations in Varroa-affected regions through natural defenses and selective breeding.

Resistance arises from several mechanisms, including grooming behavior that removes mites, hygienic behavior that detects and removes infested brood, Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH), and reduced mite reproduction (RMR) within brood cells. Some stocks combine these traits, yielding lower mite reproduction rates and slower mite population growth.

Breeding and management programs select for low mite counts, high hygienic or grooming scores, and favorable reproduction metrics. Practices may involve selective mating, instrumental insemination, or drone brood removal, and are typically integrated with other IPM approaches to manage mites while avoiding overreliance on a single method. Mite monitoring remains essential.

Notes: Varroaresistance varies by population and environment, and no population is completely resistant. Ongoing selection and adaptation by mites can reduce effectiveness over time, so breeders emphasize genetic diversity and regional testing. See also Varroa destructor, Honey bee, Hygienic behavior, Varroa Sensitive Hygiene, Integrated pest management.