An international team led by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in Australia has discovered that components present in the venom of certain spiders could give rise to a new treatment against Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite responsible for the destruction of bee colonies in many regions around the world.
The study identified compounds present in the venom of two spider species that can eliminate the mites without harming the bees.
According to the principal investigator, Associate Professor Volker Herzig, this discovery represents a first step toward developing an environmentally sustainable solution against one of the greatest threats to global beekeeping.
“We analysed 50 venoms, mainly from spiders and scorpions, applying them directly to the mites. We found that more than 75% caused their death in less than 24 hours,” explains the researcher.
After this initial phase, the scientists selected the two most effective venoms and isolated a specific component from each, known as a peptide. The compounds, designated Ht1a and Gg1a, proved to be lethal to the mites but harmless to the bees.
According to the authors, these peptides are fully biodegradable and could be used in the development of commercial treatments to combat infestations in hives.
Rising resistance to pesticides
The need for new solutions has become increasingly urgent due to the growing resistance of the mites to the chemical pesticides currently used. This situation has contributed to significant losses of bee colonies in Australia and across much of the northern hemisphere.
The research involved scientists from UniSC, the University of Queensland, the University of Oslo, Ghent University in Belgium, and Switzerland’s Agroscope bee research center.
New real-world testing
The project recently received a further AU$50,000 in funding through the Queensland Government’s Community Bee Innovation Fund program.
The next steps include testing the two peptides on bees infested with the mite and applying them in affected hives, with the aim of evaluating the compounds’ effectiveness under real-world conditions.
The venoms used in the study come from Volker Herzig’s arachnid venom biobank, considered the largest in the world, with a collection of 640 spider venoms and 230 scorpion venoms.
The Vice-Chancellor and President of UniSC, Helen Bartlett, highlighted the relevance of the research for global food security.
“This world-class research is addressing one of the most urgent threats to food security. The project reflects UniSC’s commitment to sustainability and to protecting agriculture in Australia and around the world,” states.
