How do ticks affect bees? - briefly
Ticks attach to adult bees, feeding on hemolymph and weakening individuals, which can reduce foraging efficiency and increase mortality. They may also transmit microbial pathogens that compromise overall colony health.
How do ticks affect bees? - in detail
Ticks that attach to honey bees act as ectoparasites, extracting hemolymph and weakening individual workers. The feeding process creates small wounds that can become entry points for secondary infections, reducing the lifespan of the affected insects. In addition to direct blood loss, the physiological stress of parasitism triggers immune responses that divert energy from foraging and brood care.
Research identifies several tick species, principally Ixodes and Argas genera, that occasionally infest bee colonies. These ticks are introduced through floral visits, drift from nearby wildlife habitats, or transport on beekeeping equipment. Once inside a hive, they prefer adult workers because of their mobility, but they can also attach to drones and queens during periods of high colony traffic.
The presence of ticks influences colony dynamics in several ways:
- Reduced foraging efficiency: Parasitized workers exhibit slower flight and lower pollen collection rates, diminishing nectar and pollen intake.
- Lower brood survival: Queens that carry ticks experience decreased egg-laying capacity, and larvae exposed to tick saliva show higher mortality.
- Pathogen vectoring: Tick saliva contains enzymes and microbes that may transmit bacterial or viral agents, compounding disease pressure from Nosema spp. or deformed wing virus.
- Colony stress: Elevated parasite loads increase hygienic behavior, leading to more frequent removal of infested individuals, which can disrupt social cohesion.
Field studies quantify mortality increases of up to 15 % in heavily infested colonies compared with untreated controls. Laboratory assays reveal that tick saliva suppresses the expression of antimicrobial peptides in bee hemolymph, weakening innate defenses. Long‑term monitoring shows that colonies with chronic tick infestations exhibit slower population growth and higher winter loss rates.
Mitigation strategies focus on preventing tick entry and reducing existing burdens. Practices include:
- Regular inspection of hive entrances and frames for attached arthropods.
- Sterilization of reusable equipment with heat or chemical treatments.
- Placement of hives away from known wildlife corridors where tick reservoirs are abundant.
- Application of acaricide‑treated strips, ensuring compliance with residue limits for honey.
Continued research aims to clarify the molecular interactions between tick saliva components and bee immune pathways, and to develop targeted biocontrol agents that disrupt tick attachment without harming pollinators. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for preserving colony health and sustaining pollination services.