SBIR-STTR Award

We have developed techniques for generating specialized sulfur formulations and preliminary studies show it is very effective against varroa. Our goal is to develop this treatment technology further. We will demonstrate that specific formulations of elemental sulfur provide protection against varroa infestation without posing environmental or toxicological problems. APPROACH: Phase I research will expand the results of pilot studies and identify the physical characteristics and application levels of successful sulfur treatments. We anticipate developing commercial formulation and application strategies that will mitigate varroa infestation. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The infestation of honey bees (Apis mellifera) with the parasitic mite varroa (Varroa destructor) continues to devastate the agriculture and beekeeping industries. In many regions of the U.S. most feral honey bee colonies have died due to infestation, and large losses to managed colonies have occurred as well. The importance of honey bees to U.S. agriculture is immense. Current USDA statistics indicate crop pollination, which is dependent on managed honey bees, adds $15 billion to the farm value of crops. The decreased availability of bees to pollinate cultivated fruit and vegetable crops has had strong impact on the agricultural economy. Emerging resistance to available pesticide treatment underlines the urgency for new treatments. Elemental sulfur has a long history of use as an insecticide and acaricide, and has organic status for pesticide use. Unlike current pesticides, there are no reports of sulfur resistance developing in response to long-term use. The reduction of varroa infestation will promote the long-term sustainability of U.S. Agriculture and the beekeeping industry and help halt tremendous financial and environmental losses due to lack of bees for pollinating cultivated crops and natural ecologies.

Keywords:
varroa destructor; sulfur; apis mellifera; beekeeping

Many commercial crop growers depend on managed bees for pollination to achieve high yield and top quality produce. There are more than 90 bee-pollinated crops in the U.S. alone, and by improving crop quality and yield, it is estimated that bees add $14.6 billion to crop value. Currently, there is a crisis that is challenging the success and sustainability of communities and economies that depend on bees to pollinate commercial crops: the worldwide infestation of honey bee colonies with the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Infestation can destroy a commercial operation in a matter of a few months, with devastating results for those who depend on bees to pollinate their crops. While pesticides are available, resistance to treatment is spreading rapidly. Pima Research Company has developed a novel formulation of soluble sulfur that was shown in Phase I research to effectively control Varroa in the laboratory. Sulfur has FDA GRAS status, and certain formulations are approved organic pesticides. Resistance is not known to develop. The purpose of Phase II research is to develop a delivery system prototype that meets industry requirements for performance reliability and safe handling, to collect efficacy and mode of action data required for registration, and to conduct field testing with commercial beekeepers nationwide.