Lactic acid treatment on infested honey bees works through a local way of action against Varroa destructor.

Lactic acid is an alternative treatment to hard chemicals against Varroa destructor, the parasitic mite of the Western honey bee Apis mellifera. This soft acaricide is used only for small apiaries due to its laborious administration. However, the mode of action of this honey bee medication remains unknown.

Varroa destructor relies on physical cues to feed in artificial conditions.

Olfaction is a major sense in Varroa destructor. In natural conditions, it is known that this honey bee parasite relies on kairomones to detect its host or to reproduce. Yet, in artificial conditions, the parasite is able to feed and survive for a few days even though most honey bee pheromones are lacking.

Honey Bee Larval Hemolymph as a Source of Key Nutrients and Proteins Offers a Promising Medium for Artificial Rearing.

, a major ectoparasite of the Western honey bee , is a widespread pest that damages colonies in the Northern Hemisphere. Throughout their lifecycle, females feed on almost every developmental stage of their host, from the last larval instar to the adult. The parasite is thought to feed on hemolymph and fat body, although its exact diet and nutritional requirements are poorly known.

Becoming nose-blind-Climate change impacts on chemical communication.

Chemical communication via infochemicals plays a pivotal role in ecological interactions, allowing organisms to sense their environment, locate predators, food, habitats, or mates. A growing number of studies suggest that climate change-associated stressors can modify these chemically mediated interactions, causing info-disruption that scales up to the ecosystem level. However, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms is scarce.

Chemical detection triggers honey bee defense against a destructive parasitic threat.

Invasive species events related to globalization are increasing, resulting in parasitic outbreaks. Understanding of host defense mechanisms is needed to predict and mitigate against the consequences of parasite invasion. Using the honey bee Apis mellifera and the mite Varroa destructor, as a host-parasite model, we provide a comprehensive study of a mechanism of parasite detection that triggers a behavioral defense associated with social immunity.

Honey bee survival mechanisms against the parasite Varroa destructor: a systematic review of phenotypic and genomic research efforts.

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is the most significant pathological threat to the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, leading to the death of most colonies if left untreated. An alternative approach to chemical treatments is to selectively enhance heritable honey bee traits of resistance or tolerance to the mite through breeding programs, or select for naturally surviving untreated colonies. We conducted a literature review of all studies documenting traits of A.

Elevated CO₂ Concentrations Impact the Semiochemistry of Aphid Honeydew without Having a Cascade Effect on an Aphid Predator.

Honeydew is considered a cornerstone of the interactions between aphids and their natural enemies. Bacteria activity occurring in aphid honeydew typically results in the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are used by the natural enemies of aphids to locate their prey. Because atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration directly impacts the physiology of plants, we raise the hypothesis that elevated CO₂ concentrations impact the quantity of honeydew produced by aphids, as well as the diversity and quantity of honeydew VOCs, leading to cascade effects on the foraging behavior of aphids' natural enemies.