[Research progress of the interaction between Apis mellifera and Varroa destructor mediated by pheromones]

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2017 Jun 18;28(6):2055-2062. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201706.012.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Varroa destructor is a virulent ectoparasitic mite of western honeybee (Apis mellifera), and considered the greatest threat to apiculture around the world. Chemical method is widely used for the management of this mite. However, this method can easily induce the resistance of V. destructor to acaricides, toxicity of acaricides to honeybee and the residues in bee products. Therefore, many safe preventions and control techniques were developed to treat mite in recent years. Using pheromones of honeybee to control V. destructor would be a main tendency. A lot of studies indicated that Varroa mites are able to use honeybee pheromones to distinguish the development stages of the hosts, and show high selectivity for appropriate hosts at a special stage. In recent years, a lot of honey bee pheromones were reported to have effect on V. destructor, including pheromones from adult honeybee, pupa and brood. Some of them have repellent effect on V. destructor, while others have attractant effect on V. destructor. This article reviewed the progresses in pheromones categories, major chemical compositions, and their effects to V. destructor, which would suggest important avenues for further researches and applications in mite control.

狄斯瓦螨是一种严重危害西方蜜蜂的体外寄生螨,是世界养蜂业的最大威胁.人们广泛采用化学方法防治狄斯瓦螨,但易引起狄斯瓦螨的抗药性、蜜蜂中毒和蜂产品药物残留等问题.为此,人们尝试了多种蜂螨绿色防控技术.其中利用蜜蜂信息素防治狄斯瓦螨是一个重要的研究方向.研究表明,狄斯瓦螨能利用蜜蜂信息素识别处于不同发育阶段的寄主,并对特定时期的寄主表现出高度的选择性.近年来,多种能作用于狄斯瓦螨的蜜蜂信息素相继被报道.这些信息素包括成蜂、蛹和幼虫信息素.有的信息素对狄斯瓦螨表现出驱避作用,有的则表现出引诱作用.本文对这些信息素的种类、主要组成成分、对狄斯瓦螨的作用等进行了综述,旨在为今后的研究与应用提供参考.

Keywords: Apis mellifera; Varroa destructor; biological control; pheromones.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acaricides
  • Animals
  • Bees*
  • Pheromones*
  • Pupa
  • Varroidae*

Substances

  • Acaricides
  • Pheromones