Varroa mites – bees’ archenemies – have genetic holes in their armor
August 14, 2017
From: Michigan State University
Contact(s): Layne Cameron, Zachary Huang
Seemingly indestructible Varroa mites have decimated honeybee populations and are a primary cause of colony collapse disorder, or CCD.
Michigan State University scientists have found genetic holes in the pests’ armor that could potentially reduce or eliminate the marauding invaders. The team’s results, published in the current issue of Insect Science, have identified four genes critical for survival and two that directly affect reproduction.
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