RNA interference as a next-generation control method for suppressing Varroa destructor reproduction in honey bee (Apis mellifera) hives.
Pest Manag Sci
; 80(9): 4770-4778, 2024 Sep.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38801186
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is considered to be the greatest threat to apiculture worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a gene silencing mechanism has emerged as a next-generation strategy for mite control.RESULTS:
We explored the impact of a dsRNA biopesticide, named vadescana, designed to silence the calmodulin gene in Varroa, on mite fitness in mini-hives housed in a laboratory. Two dosages were tested 2 g/L dsRNA and 8 g/L dsRNA. Vadescana appeared to have no effect on mite survival, however, mite fertility was substantially reduced. The majority of foundress mites exposed to vadescana failed to produce any offspring. No dose-dependent effect of vadescana was observed, as both the low and high doses inhibited mite reproduction equally well in the mini-hives and neither dose impacted pupal survival of the honey bee. Approximately 95% of bee pupae were alive at uncapping across all treatment groups.CONCLUSION:
These findings suggest that vadescana has significant potential as an effective alternative to conventional methods for Varroa control, with broader implications for the utilization of RNAi as a next-generation tool in the management of pest species. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Reproduction
/
Interférence par ARN
/
Varroidae
Limites:
Animals
Langue:
En
Journal:
Pest Manag Sci
Sujet du journal:
TOXICOLOGIA
Année:
2024
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Nouvelle-Zélande
Pays de publication:
Royaume-Uni