Research Brief: Use of Oregano to Control Parasitic Mites in Honey Bees

The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, is the single most damaging biotic factor affecting the health of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and is responsible for the death of millions of honey bee colonies worldwide. The varroa mite is a tick-like parasite that feeds on the blood and fat tissue of immature and adult bees, inhibits their immune responses and can transmit viral diseases, which in turn may kill the bees. Additionally, varroa mite parasitism results in substantial reductions of honey yields of colonies. Currently, beekeepers rely on synthetic miticides, medicines to control the mites. However, the frequent use of synthetic miticides in hives has resulted in mites developing resistance to the chemical components of these products. The use of synthetic miticides has also caused contamination of hive products such as honey and wax, which may pose a health threat for human consumers or for the bees in the hive. Therefore, the identification of new compounds with high miticidal activity and low toxicity to honey bees that at the same time do not leave harmful chemical residues in hive products is an important task for bee researchers.