Toxicity of Consecutive Treatments Combining Synthetic and Organic Miticides to Nurse Bees of Apis mellifera

Abstract

Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite of honey bees, is a major contributor to global colony declines. To manage infestations, beekeepers frequently apply both synthetic and organic miticides—sometimes in combination. While much attention has been given to foragers’ pesticide exposure, nurse bees are also at risk due to direct miticide contact and prolonged exposure to residuals in hive matrices. Despite this, little is known about the effects of sequential miticide applications on nurse bees. In this study, we evaluated the toxicities of single and pairwise consecutive applications of three synthetic miticides (fluvalinate, coumaphos, and amitraz) and two organic miticides (formic acid and oxalic acid) at field-realistic concentrations. Miticides were topically applied to nurse bees with 24 h between consecutive treatments. Synthetic miticides caused minimal mortality, while both organic miticides—especially formic acid—significantly reduced survivorship. Consecutive treatments generally produced mortality rates comparable to that of the corresponding organic miticide alone, indicating that observed toxicities were primarily driven by the organic agents. Notably, the fluvalinate–formic acid combination induced no significant adverse effects. These findings highlight the need for caution when using miticides in combination and support the development of safer application strategies to protect vulnerable in-hive bee populations.