Spider Venom Kills Varroa Mites Without Harming Honeybees
July 9th, 2026Via: connectsci:
Peptides isolated from the venom of the Tasmanian cave spider and giant Japanese funnel-web spider are promising candidates for potential new treatments to protect honeybee hives from a deadly parasite.
Researchers tested spider and scorpion venoms for their ability to kill the Varroa destructor mite and published their findings in the journal npj Drug Discovery.
Study lead author Volker Herzig from the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Centre for Bioinnovation says the discovery is the first step in finding a new, environmentally friendly way to combat varroa mites which are destroying honeybee colonies across the globe.
The European honeybee (Apis mellifera) pollinates every continent except Antarctica. It is crucial for global food security, ecosystem stability and biodiversity.
V. destructor is found throughout Asia, much of Africa, Europe, the Americas, New Zealand and Australia. It feeds on honeybee larvae and pupae and carries viruses which affect the bees.
A varroa infestation will kill a honeybee colony if left untreated.
