Answer :
Final answer:
The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is native to Asia, where it originally parasitized the eastern honeybee (Apis cerana). It has since spread globally and severely affects the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), which lacks natural defenses against the mite. Researchers are exploring resistant honeybee populations in Africa to develop more resilient bee colonies.
Explanation:
The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a significant parasite of honeybees. Originally, this parasitic mite was associated with the eastern honeybee (Apis cerana), native to Asia. Due to the global trade in honeybees, the Varroa mite has spread almost worldwide and has had detrimental effects on populations of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), which did not evolve with this parasite and has limited natural defenses against it. This has resulted in extensive colony losses and has raised concerns regarding colony collapse disorder and other issues related to bee health. However, there is some hope as researchers are investigating the resistance found in certain African honeybee populations with the aim of breeding more resistant honeybee colonies.
The Varroa mite's life cycle is intricately linked to honeybees, as it can only reproduce within a bee colony. Beekeepers employ various strategies to control these mites, including the use of a Warre hive or employing drone trapping, but wild beehive populations without human intervention have been particularly impacted by the spread of the mite.
