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. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html