Varroosis

Varroa mites feed on the fat bodies of adults and larvae, causing weakened immune systems, decreased body weight, and a shortened lifespan. The external wounds caused by repeated feeding can become infected with bacteria, fungus and virus. Varroa mites also vector numerous viruses. The RNA virus Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) causes infected bees to emerge with deformed and damaged wings that look like shriveled sticks (also called “stick wing”). These bees are unable to fly, die young, and are unable to perform vital functions in the hive. Additional viruses associated with Varroa mites include:  Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV), and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV)*. A disease called Parasitic Mite Syndrome (PMS) can be found in conjunction with high Varroa infestation. PMS encompasses a range of symptoms including: a spotty brood pattern, sick brood that appears sunken or melted into the cell (often mistaken for European or American Foulbrood, capped brood cells that are pierced or torn open, lack of eggs and / or developing larvae, a rapidly decreasing adult population, bees with deformed wings, and phoretic Varroa mites visibly walking on the comb or on bees. Colonies suffering from PMS will collapse and eventually die. 

It is important to note that it is not just weak colonies that are susceptible to Varroa mite infestation. Oftentimes large populous colonies will crash the most drastically, as the varroa population increases with colony population size. Viruses associated with Varroa mites can replicate and be transferred amongst the colony. Even if colonies have been treated with miticides, high levels of virus may persist. High virus titers make it extremely difficult for a strong colony to overwinter, and a colony that was thriving in August or September may dwindle and die by late fall / early winter.

*To obtain more information on honey bee viruses click here. 

 

Side by side - healthy nurse bee and one infected with Deformed Wing Virus. Photo credit: Mona Chambers

Brood affected by Parasitic Mite Syndrome - Photo credit: Mona Chambers