Members of the IR-4 Project say changes could negatively impact availability of products that help keep honey bee colonies healthy.
Studies show a line of bees developed by USDA-ARS is more than twice as likely to make it through the cold months than standard honey bees.
While it was believed Varroa mites fed on honey bees’ blood, the pests feed on fat body tissue of adults.
$1M project to find new controls for varroa mites.
Cornell University’s NYS Beekeeper Tech Team recent report also shows most hives are infected with Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a disease linked to the mites.
Parasite has adapted, thrived with colonies in modern hives.
A British company developed Bee Gym, distributed by Vita Ltd.
Potassium Salts of Hops Beta Acids (K-HBAs), is intended to fit into a rotation program to battle resistance.