Varroa destructor and Varroosis Control in Apis mellifera L.: Current Strategies, Resistance, Residues, and Future Challenges

Varroa destructor A. & T. is widely regarded as the most important ectoparasitic threat to managed Apis mellifera L. colonies worldwide and a major contributor to colony losses. Through direct parasitic feeding and the transmission of viral pathogens, particularly deformed wing virus, the mite significantly impairs honey bee health and colony performance. Despite decades of research and the availability of numerous control methods, sustainable management of varroosis remains challenging due to acaricide resistance, residue accumulation, reinvasion dynamics, and environmental factors influencing treatment efficacy. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of V. destructor. based on published scientific literature and regulatory information. Unlike previous reviews that primarily focus on individual control methods, the present review provides an integrated assessment of treatment efficacy, resistance mechanisms, residue-related concerns, regulatory frameworks, emerging RNAi-based technologies, and future challenges affecting the long-term sustainability of Varroa management. Current evidence indicates that no single control method provides durable and universally effective suppression of Varroa populations. Instead, the most sustainable management outcomes are achieved through integrated pest management programs that combine routine monitoring, treatment rotation, brood-management techniques, and the use of Varroa-tolerant bee stocks. The review further demonstrates that resistance development, residue accumulation in hive matrices, and reinvasion from untreated colonies remain the principal factors limiting long-term control success. Addressing these challenges will require coordinated monitoring programs, resistance-informed treatment strategies, and continued development of novel control technologies.