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Updated: May 8, 2026
06:41
Preparation of Virus-Enriched Inoculum for Oral Infection of Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Published on: August 26, 2020
Coevolution stabilizes the honey bee-Varroa destructor-virus system on islands
Laura E Brettell1, Clarissa P Ferreira2, Ethel M Villalobos3
1School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK.
Trends in Parasitology
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Honey bees in Hawaii evolved resistance to the Varroa destructor mite by removing infested brood. This coevolution created a stable bee-mite-virus system, offering a potential global solution for Varroa destructor.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Entomology
- Apiculture
Background:
- The Varroa destructor mite and its vectored Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) have caused significant global losses in Apis mellifera honey bee colonies for over six decades.
- A 17-year study tracked the coevolution of the bee-mite-virus system in Hawaii.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term coevolutionary dynamics between honey bees, Varroa destructor mites, and Deformed Wing Virus in Hawaii.
- To assess the development of mite resistance in Hawaiian honey bee populations.
- To understand the impact of coevolution on virus prevalence and virulence.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal monitoring of honey bee colonies on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii over 17 years.
- Observational studies on honey bee behavior, specifically mite detection and brood removal.
- Analysis of Deformed Wing Virus prevalence and genetic sequencing to identify recombinant strains.
Main Results:
- Honey bees on Oahu evolved resistance to Varroa destructor by effectively detecting and removing mite-infested brood cells.
- While DWV prevalence decreased on both islands, a more virulent recombinant DWV strain emerged.
- Miticides remain in widespread use on the Big Island, contrasting with the evolved resistance observed on Oahu.
Conclusions:
- Coevolution on Oahu has established a new, stable 'bee-mite-virus' state, demonstrating a natural mechanism for managing Varroa destructor.
- This evolved resistance in Hawaiian honey bees offers a promising, sustainable, and potentially global solution to the Varroa destructor problem.
- Beekeepers have successfully leveraged this evolved resistance, highlighting the practical applications of understanding host-parasite coevolution.
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