What Is The Function Of 70% Ethanol In The Assessment Of Varroa Mite Infestation Rates In Honey Bee Samples?

In the assessment of Varroa mite infestation, 70% ethanol functions as both a biological preservative and a potent chemical wetting agent. It serves to arrest the physical decay of adult honey bee samples while simultaneously breaking the adhesive bond between the parasite and the host for accurate counting.

Core Takeaway: 70% ethanol is not merely a storage medium; its chemical properties actively infiltrate the contact area between the mite and the bee. This reduces adhesion, enabling the physical separation required to calculate precise infestation percentages.

The Dual Mechanism of Action

To understand the utility of 70% ethanol, one must look at how it interacts with the biological structures of both the bee and the mite.

Function 1: The Chemical Wetting Agent

The primary technical function of the ethanol is to act as a wetting agent. It reduces the surface tension and adhesion between the Varroa mite and the honey bee's body.

Chemical Infiltration

Through chemical infiltration, the solution penetrates the spaces between the mite and the bee. This process effectively loosens the mite's grip on the bee's body surface.

Targeting Specific Attachment Points

This detachment is crucial for dislodging mites hidden in difficult areas. The solution causes mites to detach specifically from the bee's body segments and sclerites (hardened body plates), where they often hide.

Function 2: Biological Preservation

Simultaneously, the ethanol ensures the sample remains stable over time.

Preventing Decay

The solution acts as a biological preservative. It prevents the degradation of both the bees and the mites during the collection, transport, and screening process.

Ensuring Screening Integrity

By stopping biological decay, the ethanol ensures that the physical structure of the sample is maintained. This allows for filtration and counting to occur without the samples disintegrating.

Procedural Requirements for Accuracy

While the chemical properties of ethanol are vital, they must be combined with specific physical actions to be effective.

The Necessity of Agitation

Chemical infiltration alone is often insufficient for total separation. The method relies on vigorous shaking within sealed collection bottles to mechanically dislodge the mites once the ethanol has loosened their adhesion.

Enabling Calculation

The ultimate goal of this separation is data collection. By effectively washing the mites off the bees, the ethanol wash method allows for a precise count of the parasite load.

Critical Operational Factors

When utilizing the alcohol wash method, there are specific constraints and factors that determine success.

Concentration Specificity

The references specifically cite a 70% concentration of ethanol. This specific ratio is optimal for acting as a washing liquid and preservative without being excessively harsh or ineffective.

Facilitating Genetic Selection

Accurate counting is not just for monitoring current health. Precise infestation calculations are the foundation for identifying honey bee populations with natural resistance to mites.

Making the Right Choice for Your Goal

The use of 70% ethanol is a standard for accuracy, but it requires adherence to specific protocols.

If your primary focus is immediate accuracy: Ensure you combine the 70% ethanol soak with vigorous shaking to fully exploit the chemical's wetting properties.
If your primary focus is long-term breeding: Use the precise infestation percentages derived from this method to identify and select colonies that demonstrate natural resistance.

Success in Varroa assessment relies on using ethanol not just to store the sample, but to actively separate the parasite from the host.

Summary Table:

Function	Mechanism of Action	Practical Benefit
Wetting Agent	Reduces surface tension & infiltrates sclerites	Loosens mites' grip for easy detachment
Preservative	Inhibits biological decay and decomposition	Maintains sample integrity during transport
Separation Aid	Breaks adhesive bonds between host and parasite	Enables accurate calculation of infestation %
Concentration	Optimal 70% Ethanol solution	Balances chemical efficacy with sample safety

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References

Claudia García-Figueroa, Miguel E. Arechavaleta-Velasco. Effects of Genetic Origin of Honeybees and Climate on Prevalence and Infestation Levels of Varroa. DOI: 10.3390/ani13203277

This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .