Penn State Entomology Seminar: Unravelling the impact of the mite Varroa destructor
October 5, 2015
Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from a discussion of Dr Ryabov’s research. The complete discussion is available here.
Introduction of the parasitic mite Varroa to the UK around 20 years ago had a major impact on honeybee health and beekeeping practice. Without regular control, Varroa levels rise significantly causing a decline in colony fitness and excessive winter losses. While feeding on honeybee ‘blood’ Varroa transmits viruses between bees. Previous studies by this team have shown that two of these viruses, Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and Varroa Destructor Virus-1 (VDV-1), can combine to form a new sort of hybrid virus that current diagnostic methods cannot correctly identify.
From: Penn State College of Agricultural Science | Entomology
Seminar: Unravelling the impact of the mite Varroa destructor on the interaction between the honeybee and the Deformed wing virus
Eugene Ryabov – University of Warwick
When (Date/Time): October 8, 2015, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: 504 ASI Building
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