Varroa Biology and Management: An Overview

Varroa Biology and Management: An Overview

Varroa destructor is the Number One pest of our Western Honey Bee, Apis mellifera. This pest (commonly called Varroa or Varroa mite) is a parasite that feeds on a bee’s hemolymph, causing honey bee stress and eventually the death of developing and adult honey bees. A reduction in worker bee population affects a colony’s ability to feed and care for itself. Fewer adult honey bees also impacts the products and services important to the beekeeper including honey production, pollination services, and creating colonies for sale or replacement. The higher the Varroa population, the greater the damage to the honey bee population will be.