Miticide Effects on the Reproductive Physiology of Queen and Drone Honey Bees
PI(s): Fell, Richard D
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Abstract: Efforts to control Varroa mites in honey bee colonies have led to an over-reliance on the use of chemical miticides and the potential for sublethal effects on honey bees. Studies in our laboratory have indicated that miticide use can affect the reproductive physiology of both drones and queens, and could be responsible for some of the problems with queen failure reported by beekeepers. The commonly used miticides (fluvalinate, coumaphos, thymol) were examined with respect to their effects on sperm production and viability in drones, and to potential effects on the number and viability of sperm stored in the spermatheca of queens exposed to these compounds during rearing. These studies have shown that several of these miticides can reduce sperm production and viability in drones, as well as the viability of sperm stored in the sspermatheca of queens.
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