Comment by throwaway2037 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by throwaway2037 | Hacker News Reader

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I did some light research on the topic.

Wiki page about the specific parasite that affects honey bees: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varroa_destructor

On that page there mention of "honey bee genetics" as a form of parasite control. It is called "Varroa sensitive hygiene". Wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varroa_sensitive_hygiene

    > Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) is a behavioral trait of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in which bees detect and remove bee pupae that are infested by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. VSH activity results in significant resistance to the mites.

It sounds like you need to buy better gene stock in your area. USDA started publishing about this finding in 1997, almost 30 years ago.

I have bees myself. Beekeepers and scientists all over the world are trying to breed better bees with improved VSH. While it may work in a laboratory, it does not seem to work consistently in practice. You cannot just buy a "VSH colony/queen" and no longer treat Varroa mites. Even with careful breeding, the VSH behavior often vanishes (or is greatly reduced) after 1-2 generations.

Of course having only colonies with a strong VSH would be the end goal so we no longer need to treat our bees. But until then, better treatments are needed.

    > Even with careful breeding, the VSH behavior often vanishes (or is greatly reduced) after 1-2 generations.

This is very interesting. I guess it well explains why these parasites are still a major issue.

As far as I know VSH is suppressed when you take away the honey. Taking away the honey puts the colony in constant food stress, which suppresses reproductive work.

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