EVOLUTION OF AMITRAZ RESISTANCE IN VARROA DESTRUCTOR: HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE F290L MUTATION IN IBERIAN POPULATIONS
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Varroa destructor is one of the main parasites of the honey bee (Apis mellifera), causing significant colony losses worldwide. The control of this mite often relies on acaricides, with amitraz being among the most
widely used products in Portugal and Spain over the last decade. However, the continuous and persistent use of the same active substance exerts strong selective pressure on parasite populations, potentially
favouring alleles associated with treatment resistance. Recently, a point mutation resulting in a phenylalanine-to-leucine substitution at position 290 (F290L) was identified in V. destructor populations
from Spain, putatively associated with amitraz resistance. This mutation has been detected at high frequency in recent samples, suggesting resistance may have evolved due to sustained amitraz use. To assess whether the F290L mutation was already present before the widespread amitraz adoption, DNA extraction and sequencing analysis will be performed on mites collected since 2006, prior to the massive
use of this treatment in Iberian beekeeping. This approach will clarify whether the allele frequency of F290L increased because of the selective pressure exerted by amitraz or if it already existed in high
frequencies in earlier populations. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of resistance and to the development of more effective monitoring and management strategies to combat
V. destructor.
