https://www.gradschool.umd.edu/newsroom/3835

For nearly 50 years, researchers have believed that the mite fed on the
hemolymph (the “blood”) of the honey bee. Ramsey has done extensive
research on the feeding habits and nutrition of the *Varroa*mite that
provides strong evidence that this model is incorrect, and that current
methods of controlling the parasite are not only ineffective, but
contribute to pesticide resistance.

Ramsey’s research establishes that the mites are primarily feeding on the
honey bee’s fat body tissue—an organ in insects that serves a similar role
to the human liver. Since many of the existing systemic pesticides designed
to combat the mite were formulated assuming the mites fed on the hemolymph,
this discovery explains why these never succeeded as a control measure.
This frequent exposure may also contribute to future pesticide resistance
as well since the mites would not ingest enough pesticide to kill them.
This work also explains why honey bees suffer so many negative consequences
from a parasite we believed was only consuming a small amount of their
blood. Ramsey’s discovery will enable researchers to develop more targeted
control techniques that could help restore honey bee populations worldwide.

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