Neonicotinoid Clothianidin reduces honey bee immune response and contributes to Varroa mite proliferation

Abstract

Pesticides could increase bees’ susceptibility to parasites, but the nature of this interaction has been unclear. Here the authors show that the pesticide Clothianidin reduces the wound healing immune response in bees, allowing the ectoparasitic Varroa mites to consume more bee hemolymph and amplify reproduction.