Our speaker will be Dr. Dewey Caron, Emeritus Professor of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, Univ of Delaware. The topic will be Varroa Mites and the Summer Solstice.

Beyond question, varroa mites are the major pest issue we face as beekeepers. And for the bees as well. Stress from mite feeding during dispersal phase (mites feeding on adult bees) changes the normal bee life span and lowers their immune system protection. Reproducing mites in pupal cells stress the developing bee and begin spread of harmful viruses. Flattening the mite growth curve is proactive management. Now that we are at the summer solstice there are significant changes in our colonies, and our varroa management emphasis needs to shift from drones to workers. New tools, including developing new stocks, help in our mite control — but unless we have kept mite numbers reduced by intervention during wintering and in early spring, our bee colonies might not return our expected outcome for fall diutinus bees and overwintering success. What management choices following super removal may reduce varroa stress and support improved colony winter survival?

Dr. Caron was Professor and Department Chairman at the Univ of Delaware, Newark 1981-2009. His research focused on Pollination ecology (biology & applications), honeybee pests, predators and diseases, and biology of queen replacement (swarming in honey bees). With retirement from Univ of Delaware in 2009 he moved to Portland, OR to be closer to grandkids. In retirement he remain active in bee education and membership to numerous bee clubs including the ACBA. Dr. Caron is principal drafter of TOOLS FOR VARROA MANAGEMENT: A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE VARROA SAMPLING & CONTROL, the bible for Varroa treatment, last revised in 2022.