Varroa mite

[BuzzyBuzz]

May sound far fetched...but do read........

do neonicotinoid pesticides 'assist' Varroa mite in some way?:


http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/neonico...rroa-mite.html

[apis maximus]

In the February 2013 issue of ABJ, Randy Oliver mentions the concept of hormesis and how, when it comes to pesticides in low doses, they might indeed "assist" the mite. A lot of the references he has for the article, do speak and address the concept.
To quote from Randy's article: " Could it be that miticide or insecticide residues in brood combs might increase varoa fecundity? ".

[Michael Bush]

>" Could it be that miticide or insecticide residues in brood combs might increase varoa fecundity? ".

Dee Lusby has been saying that it does since the late 90's at least and quoting some research on it, that I've lost track of...

[BuzzyBuzz]

Thanks for that. Yep, I've been worried about it for a couple of years - first line defence in bees against mites is grooming, http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/varroa-mite.html

then the issue of conditions developng in the hive that enable varroa to thrive.