A new mutation in the octopamine receptor associated with amitraz resistance in Varroa destructor

The acaricide amitraz is now used intensively in many regions to control the honey bee parasite, Varroa destructor, because of the reduced efficacy of pyrethroids and coumaphos caused by resistance evolution. The continued application of amitraz in recent years exerts a very high selection pressure on mites, favouring the evolution of resistance to this acaricide. Mutations N87S and Y215H in the β2-adrenergic-like octopamine receptor (Octβ2R), target site of amitraz, have been already associated with resistance to amitraz in France and the USA, respectively.

A new mutation (F290L) in the Octβ2R of V. destructor has been found in mites from Spanish apiaries. The frequency of L290 mutated alleles in colonies increased after consecutive treatments with amitraz. In a field trial, mites from colonies with higher frequency of L290 mutated allele took longer to die compared with those carrying a higher proportion of the wild-type allele. Lower susceptibility to amitraz was found in apiaries with a high frequency of homozygous mutants.

Our data indicate the association of the F290L mutation in the octopamine receptor with resistance to amitraz in Spanish populations of V. destructor. Determining the frequency of mutant mites in apiaries may be important for predicting the efficacy of amitraz treatment in the field and would help design appropriate resistance management. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.