Authors
Vincent Dietemann, Jochen Pflugfelder, Denis Anderson, Jean-Daniel Charrière, Nor Chejanovsky, Benjamin Dainat, Joachim de Miranda, Keith Delaplane, Franz-Xaver Dillier, Stefan Fuch, Peter Gallmann, Laurent Gauthier, Anton Imdorf, Nikolaus Koeniger, Jasna Kralj, William Meikle, Jeff Pettis, Peter Rosenkranz, Diana Sammataro, Deborah Smith, Orlando Yañez, Peter Neumann
Publication date
2012/1/1
Source
Journal of Apicultural Research
Volume
51
Issue
1
Pages
125-132
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Description
Pollination by honey bees plays a key role in the functioning of ecosystems and optimisation of agricultural yields. Severe honey bee colony losses worldwide have raised concerns about the sustainability of these pollination services. In many cases, bee mortality appears to be the product of many interacting factors, but there is a growing consensus that the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor plays the role of the major predisposing liability. We argue that the fight against this mite should be a priority for future honey bee health research. We highlight the lack of efficient control methods currently available against the parasite and discuss the need for new approaches. Gaps in our knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of the mite are identified and a research road map towards sustainable control is drawn. Innovative and challenging approaches are suggested in order to stimulate research efforts and ensure …
Total citations
Scholar articles
V Dietemann, J Pflugfelder, D Anderson, JD Charrière… - Journal of Apicultural Research, 2012