Particles to reduce brood damage during Varroa control in honey bees
A particle-based composition with lithium salts administered through a nutritional feed addresses the limitations of current varroa mite treatments by providing effective, systemic control with minimal brood harm, ensuring bee health and productivity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024200780
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-31
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Current treatments for varroa mite infestation in honey bees, such as synthetic chemicals and RNA interference, are harmful to bee brood, have limited effectiveness, and lead to resistance and residue issues, necessitating an alternative, efficient, and bee-safe solution.
A composition comprising particles containing an active ingredient, preferably lithium salts, is administered to honey bees through a nutritional feed, allowing systemic distribution via the mid-intestine to control varroa mites, using biocompatible and bioabsorbable carriers like liposomes or hydrogels, ensuring minimal impact on bee health.
The method effectively controls varroa mites with reduced harm to bee brood, maintaining bee health and productivity by systemic action within the honey bees, while being applicable throughout the year, including periods of high larval activity.
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Abstract
Claims
[1] Use of a composition comprising a particle containing an active ingredient against Varroa mites for the treatment and / or prevention of Varroa mite infestation in honey bees, wherein the particle can be transported from the honey sac to the midgut by the valve funnel. [2] Use according to claim 1, wherein the particle has a diameter of between 2 and 150 µm, preferably between 10 and 100 µm, and more preferably between 20 and 50 µm. [3] Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the particle is selected from the group consisting of: liposomes, vesicles, lipid micelles, polymer micelles, polymer particles, carbon particles, and hydrogel particles. [4] Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the active ingredient is a lithium salt, preferably an inorganic lithium salt, particularly preferably lithium chloride, or an organic lithium salt, particularly preferably lithium citrate. [5] Use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the active ingredient against Varroa mites is an RNAi-containing composition with miticidal activity. [6] Use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition contains further ingredients selected from the group consisting of: sucrose, corn syrup, pollen and starch syrup. [7] Use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the composition is usable all year round. [8] Composition as described in any one of claims 1 to 7. [9] A composition for use in the treatment and / or prevention of Varroa mite infestation in bees, the composition being a composition as described in any one of claims 1 to 7. [10] A method for treating and / or preventing Varroa mite infestation in bees, comprising the step of administering a composition as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 to one or more honey bees in an effective dose.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Compositions and methods for controlling a honey bee parasitic mite
EP2001285B1
Lithium metal salt for use in treatment of varroa destructor MITE infestation of honey bees
WO2017042240A1
Lithium compounds for controlling mites which feed on parts of the skin of humans or homeothermic animals
WO2019170267A1