Hybrid honeybees offer varroa mite resistance but raise safety concerns for beekeepers
By
Joanna Thompson
Summary
The article discusses the crisis in U.S. honeybee health, with beekeepers facing upwards of 40% colony losses each winter due to varroa mites. It explores research by entomologist Boris Baer at UC Riverside into hybrid honeybees that show resistance to varroa mites, but notes the challenge of ensuring these hybrid bees remain gentle enough for beekeepers to handle safely. The piece examines the tension between breeding for mite resistance and maintaining manageable temperament in honeybee populations.
Source
bskyHybrid honeybees offer varroa mite resistance but raise safety concerns for beekeepersambrook.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledHybrid honeybees could be a jackpot when it comes to resisting varroa mites — but only if they're sweet enough to handle safely.
Beekeepers were reporting upwards of 40% colony losses each winter, a rate that was beginning to put considerable strain on crops that rely on commercial pollination services.
Things have only gotten worse since — 2025
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