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Microbial Control for Invasive Arthropod Pests of Honey Bees

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Use of Microbes for Control and Eradication of Invasive Arthropods

Part of the book series: Progress in Biological Control ((PIBC,volume 6))

Abstract

Honey bees are critical to world agriculture because of their role in crop pollination. Unfortunately, the sustainability of this bee is threatened by an increasing number of invasive pests, particularly the tracheal mite, varroa mite, and small hive beetle. Integrated pest management has not been well utilized by beekeepers, partly due to a lack of biological control agents. Microbial control strategies have been investigated for varroa mites using fungal pathogens, but have produced variable results. Difficulties have arisen because bees maintain hives at temperatures that are detrimental to the fungi, and the immature stages of the mites can avoid the fungi. It is also difficult to mass produce highly virulent and persistent fungal spores, and products are not available for use. One option to investigate further is the search for pathogens of the pests in their native range, as has been done in the introduction of biological control agents to field crop pests. Also, pests that have part of their life cycle outside the hive, such as small hive beetles, may be more amenable to biological control.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Agricultural Research Service, Pollinating Insects—Biology Management Systematics Research Unit, 5310 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-5310, USA

    Rosalind R. James

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  1. Rosalind R. James
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601, USA

    Ann E. Hajek

  2. AgResearch Ltd. Biocontrol Biosecurity & Bioprocessing Lincoln Research Centre, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand

    Travis R. Glare  & Maureen O’Callaghan  & 

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James, R.R. (2009). Microbial Control for Invasive Arthropod Pests of Honey Bees. In: Hajek, A.E., Glare, T.R., O’Callaghan, M. (eds) Use of Microbes for Control and Eradication of Invasive Arthropods. Progress in Biological Control, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8560-4_15

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