Silas Richard | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Silas Richard
Title: Exploring Surfactant-Based Treatments for Varroa Mite Infestations in Western Honey Bee Colonies
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Advisors: James West; Reed Johnson; Dean Fraga

Honey bee populations are vital for global food security and agricultural productivity, yet they face significant threats from colony collapse disorder and parasitic infestations, particularly by Varroa mites. In this study, we explore the potential of surfactant-based treatments as an alternative to conventional miticides, which are increasingly compromised by resistance. Using a series of dose–response bioassays, we evaluated the toxicity of several surfactants including insecticidal soap, AE-13, BC-12, CE-13, SE-11, and L-7500 on both Apis mellifera (Western honey bees) and Varroa destructor mites. Mortality rates were analyzed via log-probit regression, yielding LD50 values and confidence intervals, which were compared with those obtained using the standard miticide amitraz. Our results indicate that while most surfactants exhibited a dose-dependent increase in mortality, insecticidal soap demonstrated a promising profile by effectively reducing mite populations with minimal bee toxicity. Further analysis suggested that specific surfactant structures may play a role in their differential effects, highlighting insecticidal soap as a promising candidate for further research. These findings underscore the potential of surfactants as safer and more sustainable alternatives for Varroa mite control in apiculture. Future work will focus on optimizing field application methods to translate these laboratory results into practical beekeeping practices.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.