Comparative transcriptomics indicates endogenous differences in detoxification capacity after formic acid treatment between honey bees and varroa mites.

ABSTRACT: Formic acid (FA) has been used for decades to control Varroa destructor, one of the most important parasites of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. The rather unselective molecular mode of action of FA and its possible effects on honeybees have long been a concern of beekeepers, as it has undesirable side effects that affect the health of bee colonies. This study focuses on short-term transcriptomic changes as analysed by RNAseq in both larval and adult honey bees and in mites after FA treatment under applied conditions. Our study aims to identify those genes in honey bees and varroa mites differentially expressed upon a typical FA hive exposure scenario. Five detoxification-related genes were identified with significantly enhanced and one gene with significantly decreased expression un

SUBMITTER: Genath A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7736338 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature