As part of this week’s “Change Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Alison Mercer from Otago University Department of Zoology explains a new discovery that may give honey bees a fighting chance against varroa mites.

Scientists have identified naturally occurring compounds which induces a cleaning response among some worker bees, killing juvenile varroa mites.

The University of Otago researchers are now looking at how to replicate the six relevant compounds they have discovered, and a way to deliver them to hives from which beekeepers can selectively breed bees that have this trait.

To read more, visit the article on Farmers Weekly: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/section/agribusiness/view/bees-get-a-fighting-chance

To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com

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