Standard methods for Varroa research 2.0

Authors: DIETEMANN, V. - Swiss Bee Research Center; ALDEA-SANCHEZ, P. - University Of Lausanne; ANDERSON, D.L. - Canberra; AURELL, D. - Auburn University; CABRERA, A. - University Of Florida; Cook, Steven; DELAPLANE, D.S. - University Of Georgia; ELLIS, J.D. - University Of Florida; FREY, E. - University Of Hohenheim; GIACOBINO, A. - Auburn University; GUZMAN-NOVOA, E. - University Of Guelph; HUANG, Z.Y. - Michigan State University; JACK, C. - University Of Florida; KRETZSCHMAR, A. - Inrae; LOCKE, B. - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences; MARTIN, S.J. - University Of Salford; NAZZI, F. - University Of Udine; PIOU, V. - University Of Toulouse; Posada-Florez, Francisco; REIN, C. - University Of Hohenheim; ROSENKRANZ, P. - University Of Hohenheim; SPRAU, L. - University Of Hohenheim; TANNAHILL, C. - University Of Florida; WAUQUIEZ, Q. - Swiss Bee Research Center; WILLIAMS, G.R. - Auburn University; XIE, X. - Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; ZIEGELMANN, B. - University Of Hohenheim

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/18/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Varroa destructor is an invasive, harmful ectoparasitic mite of Apis mellifera honey bees. Due to its destructive nature toward honey bee colonies, many research by scientific teams around the world have focused on developing methods to study and erradicate this mite, with often different methods used to accomplish the same goal. This makes it difficult to compare results, thus possibly hindering our understanding of the biology, behavior and vulnerabilities of the parasite. A previous edition of this article provided easy to use protocols for the collection, identification, diagnosis, rearing, breeding, marking and measurement of infestation rates and fertility of V. destructor. It also described experimental protocls to study orientation and feeding of the mite, to infest colonies or cells, and measure the mite's susceptibility to acaricides. In the new version, where needed, the protocols included in the earlier edition were revised and updated, and other protocols were added. The pros and cons for all methods were mentioned to allow the reader to make an informed decision concerning the research method they choose to use. These methods could be embraced as standards by the community when designing and performing research on V. destructor.

Technical Abstract: Very rapidly after Varroa destructor invaded apiaries of Apis mellifera, the devastating effect of this mite prompted an active research effort to understand and control this parasite. Over a few decades, the invasive lineage of V. destructor has spread to most countries in which A. mellifera is kept. As a consequnce, a large number of research teams have studied this organism, developing a diversity of research methods. Often different approaches have been followed to achieve the same goal. The diversity of methods made the results difficult to compare, thus hindering our understanding of this parasite. In the previous edition of this article, we provided easy to use protocols for the collection, identification, diagnosis, rearing, breeding, marking and measurement of infestation rates and fertility of V. destructor. We also described experimental protocls to study orientation and feeding of the mite, to infest colonies or cells, and measure the mite's susceptibility to acaricides. In the new version, where needed, we revised and updated the protocols included in our earlier article and added other protocols. We have described the pros and cons for all methods to allow the reader to make an informed decision concerning the research method they choose to use. These methods could be embraced as standards by the community when designing and performing research on V. destructor.