Researchers breed a fungus that kills mites to save bees

Honey bees are vitally important to agriculture , by some estimates, they're responsible for pollinating more than 80 crops, adding up to about one third of the crops that we eat. Humanity has a vested interest in helping to maintain healthy honeybee populations.

One problem for honeybees is a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, which all adult bees in a hive die, leaving behind a queen, some immature bees, and honey. Bees remain under pressure from parasites, pesticides, and poor nutrition.

Now entomologists have developed a new strain of a mold-like fungus, Metarhizium, that goes after the mites without bothering the bees and can eradicate the mites. It does so without miticides, chemicals against which the mites are becoming increasingly resistant.

The new strain of Metarhizium is the second agent the researchers have developed to aid bee colonies. In 2018, they announced the development of a mycelium extract that reduced virus levels in bees.