Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Another biological control for varroa investigated

Updated at 1:27 pm on 12 May 2009

Plant and Food research scientists are investigating a second prospect for biological control of the varroa honey bee mite.

They are looking at a natural predator of the mite, a small member of the spider family called a chalifer, which is a type of pseudo-scorpion known to attack and eat varroa.

Researchers have already identified a fungus that kills varroa, which is expected to be available to bee-keepers in the next two years, to provide an alternative to chemical treatments used to control the mite.

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