Assessing the role of key genes involved in the reproductive success of the honey bee parasite Varroa destructor.

ABSTRACT: The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is the primary global threat to the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. Growing resistance to acaricide-based treatments has spurred interest in alternative control strategies. In this study, we employed a novel and efficient dsRNA delivery method to explore the potential of RNA interference (RNAi)-based approaches for Varroa control in honey bee colonies. We assessed the effects of silencing six target genes (ptch1, ap-1, larp6, chisal, vg1, and vg6) on mite mortality and reproduction through a semi-field experiment. Gene expression analysis revealed significantly reduced transcript levels in mites treated with dsRNA compared to dsGFP controls, with knockdown efficiencies ranging from 88.6% to 97.2%. Silencing of ptch1, ap-1, and vg1 genes resulted in a s

SUBMITTER: Muntaabski I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12211768 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature