A team of researchers at Central State University in Ohio has developed a new breed of honeybees that are resistant to parasites. The new breed, known as the “Ohio Mite Biters,” have smaller mandibles that allow them to more effectively remove parasites from their bodies.

The researchers began the breeding program in 2018 in response to the growing threat of parasites to honeybee populations. Varroa mites, in particular, have been a major problem for honeybees in recent years. These mites attach themselves to honeybees and feed on their blood, which can weaken and eventually kill the bees.

The Ohio Mite Biters are the result of selective breeding. The researchers began by identifying honeybees with smaller mandibles. They then bred these bees together, generation after generation, until they developed a strain of bees with consistently small mandibles.

The researchers tested the Ohio Mite Biters against varroa mites in a laboratory setting. The results showed that the new breed of bees were significantly more effective at removing the mites from their bodies than their non-resistant counterparts.

The researchers are now working to scale up the breeding program and make the Ohio Mite Biters available to beekeepers around the world. They believe that the new breed of bees could help to save honeybee populations and protect pollination services, which are essential to global food production.

In addition to varroa mites, honeybees are also susceptible to a number of other parasites, including tracheal mites, small hive beetles, and chalkbrood fungus. The Ohio Mite Biters are not resistant to all of these parasites, but they are a promising step forward in the fight to protect honeybees from disease.

The researchers are continuing to study the Ohio Mite Biters and their resistance to parasites. They are also working to develop other breeds of honeybees that are resistant to different parasites. The goal is to create a suite of honeybee breeds that are resilient to a variety of threats, so that honeybee populations can thrive in the face of climate change and other challenges.

The development of the Ohio Mite Biters is a significant breakthrough in the fight to protect honeybees. These new bees offer hope for the future of honeybee populations and pollination services. With continued research and development, it is possible that honeybees can be made more resilient to parasites and other threats, so that they can continue to play a vital role in our ecosystems.

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