Samuel Ramsey, a PhD student working with Dr. Dennis vanEngelsdorp at the University of Maryland, gave a presentation at the Maryland State Beekeepers' Association meeting titled: "Varroa Mites: What are they Really Eating?" He also spoke at EAS this summer. While his research does not appear to be published yet, his persistence (with the help of undergrad students) in creating experiments to determine that varroa actually feed on the vitellogenin in bees' fat bodies, not on the hemolymph, is impressive. His research clarifies why colonies with high mite counts crash in the fall and winter as the bees do not have the fat body reserves to overwinter (and explains why guanine deposits are found in hives that crash from mites). 

Not only was Sam's research novel, but Sam was an engaging presenter, and I hope those on the list get the opportunity to hear him speak. Unfortunately, his research emphasizes what an efficient parasite the varroa mite is. We can only hope that Sam will build on this research to find a way to limit varroa reproduction. 

Debbie Hewitt
Maryland

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