Biology and control of Varroa destructor 1

[FONT=AdvGulliv]Biology and control of [/FONT][FONT=AdvGulliv]Varroa destructor [/FONT] [FONT=AdvGulliv]Peter Rosenkranz [/FONT][FONT=AdvGulliv]a,[/FONT][FONT=AdvFENICE]*[/FONT][FONT=AdvGulliv], Pia Aumeier [/FONT][FONT=AdvGulliv]b[/FONT][FONT=AdvGulliv], Bettina Ziegelmann [/FONT][FONT=AdvGulliv]a[/FONT] The ectoparasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor was originally confined to the Eastern honey bee Apis cerana. After a shift to the new host Apis mellifera during the first half of the last century, the parasite dis- persed world wide and is currently considered the major threat for apiculture. The damage caused by Varroosis is thought to be a crucial driver for the periodical colony losses in Europe and the USA and reg- ular Varroa treatments are essential in these countries. Therefore, Varroa research not only deals with a fascinating host–parasite relationship but also has a responsibility to find sustainable solutions for the beekeeping. [FONT=AdvGulliv] [/FONT]