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Collaborative project: Development of an application method for a systemic varroa treatment with lithium chloride in honey bee colonies - subproject B (EAsyLife)
Project
Project code: 281C301B19
Contract period: 01.02.2021
- 31.01.2024
Budget: 292,900 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: animal health, parasitology, therapy, bees, pharmaceutical products, medical accessory
Honey bees are indispensable pollinator for the ecosystem as well as for agricultural production. For both, honey bees and beekeeper the worldwide distributed parasitic mite Varroa destructor represents the greatest threat. Varroosis has been proven to be the main driver for periodic colony losses and economic damage. Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment available that meets all requirements of the beekeeper. With the discovery of lithium chloride (LiCl) we present a new active substance with a high varroacidal potential combining a high efficacy against varroa mites with a good tolerability for bees. Due to the systemic mode of action LiCl can be easily applied. The main objective of the project is to develop a practicable application for this new compound in order to reduce colony losses and economic losses of the beekeeper. For this purpose, we will focus on the following aspects: 1. The LiCl treatment of brood-free honey bee colonies will be developed to the point of practical application. 2. The higher sensitivity of the honey bee larvae to LiCl requires a new application method for the treatment of colonies with brood. By the use of functional formulations of LiCl we will try to route the lithium towards the hemolymph of the adult bee rather than to the larval food. 3. State of the art molecular techniques including genome wide expression analysis shall contribute to the understanding of the mode of action of LiCl. Using a new analytical method, we will quantify the distribution of lithium within the tissues of bees and mites. This will help to (i) optimize the application technique and (ii) represent an important tool for the development of new active compounds. In sum, our project work should establish a basis to register a suitable application of this new varroacidal compound as a veterinary product and therefore, contribute to the solution of this worldwide problem.
Section overview
Subjects
- Beekeeping and health
