The rapid global expansion of Tropilaelaps mercedesae necessitates urgent alternatives to conventional acaricides due to emerging resistance. Hypothesizing that the lithium-sensitivity observed in other Mesostigmata species extends to this mite, we evaluated the toxicity of lithium chloride (LiCl) as a novel control candidate through ex situ dose-response bioassays and an in situ pilot field trial. Ex situ contact bioassays quantified the dose-response relationship, revealing a 12-hour LC50 of 45.9 mM. These results indicate that T. mercedesae is intrinsically more than 3.5-fold more sensitive to LiCl than the widespread Varroa destructor , ex situ . Subsequently, field efficacy was evaluated in a pilot trickling trial on infested A. m. ligustica colonies. Repeated administration of 500 mM lithiated sugar syrup induced characteristic tremors and a sharp increase in mite fall, confirming that the acaricidal effect manifests in situ even in the presence of brood. Our findings demonstrate that lithium is a highly effective, naturally occurring candidate for Tropilaelaps management. The observed high sensitivity and distinct intoxication symptoms warrant larger-scale trials to refine application protocols and evaluate in situ efficacy and long-term colony safety for sustainable apiculture.

The escalating threat of the ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae requires novel control strategies for honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) health 4 . In this study, we provide the first evidence of the acaricidal efficacy of lithium chloride (LiCl) against this emerging parasite. Ex situ contact bioassays quantified the dose-response relationship, revealing a 12-hour LC 50 of 45.9 mM. These results indicate that T. mercedesae is intrinsically more than 3.5 times more sensitive to LiCl than the widespread Varroa destructor . We translated these findings to field conditions in a pilot trickling trial on infested A. m. ligustica colonies. Repeated administration of 500 mM lithiated sugar syrup induced characteristic tremors and a sharp increase in mite fall, confirming that the acaricidal effect manifests in situ even in the presence of brood. Our findings identify lithium as a highly effective, naturally occurring candidate for Tropilaelaps management. This warrants larger-scale trials to refine application protocols and evaluate long-term colony safety for sustainable apiculture.

This study investigates specimens of the Asian yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax du Buysson, 1905) originating from the first colony detected in Hungary. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 gene confirms their European origin and definitely identifies them as V. velutina. The detection in Hungary represented the species' farthest documented occurrence from its established European distribution at that time, highlighting its significant dispersal potential. Given the high density of bee populations in the region, particular attention should be paid to control efforts during the early stages of colonization.

The invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) continues its spread across Europe, posing a significant threat to biodiversity, viticulture, and apiculture. This study reports the first molecular data of the invasive yellowlegged Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) in Slovakia, confirmed through molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Radio telemetry successfully located the nest within inaccessible private property, highlighting the technique's crucial role in early detection. This finding, along with the need for manual tracking techniques, public awareness campaigns, and regional monitoring programs, underscores the urgent need for proactive legal frameworks to facilitate the use of radio telemetry and ensure timely intervention to prevent further spread and mitigate the ecological and economic impacts of this invasive species in Slovakia and neighboring countries. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of continued research and development of radio telemetry techniques, including improved signal range and integration with drone technology, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of V. velutina detection and control.

Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr., 1794) (Acari: Ixodidae) is parasite that spreads many diseases which are dangerous to humans and animals. Microelement lithium was found to have promising potential against the detrimental bee pest Varroa destructor. Furthermore, its effectiveness was confirmed against Dermanyssus gallinae, a major parasite of poultry, in vitro. In the present study, we investigated whether the efficacy of lithium chloride extends to other parasitic species, such as D. reticulatus. Our results revealed, for the first time, that the effectiveness of lithium chloride extends to D. reticulatus, confirmed to have 100% mortality at a relatively high minimum concentration of 1.38 M in vitro. The 24 h and 48 h median lethal concentration (LC50) values proved to be 0.654 M and 0.481 M, respectively, for this species. Our pilot study may contribute to a better understanding of the properties of lithium ion. Furthermore, it may elicit further studies aiming to reveal whether the different environmental mineral conditions may influence the D. reticulatus population. Further studies might reveal whether lithium has any possible veterinary relevance.

The poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is the main pest of poultry, causing severe problems by being a vector of several animal and human pathogens. The number of miticides is few, and their efficacy in practice implies problems of residues and resistance; therefore, the demand for a new and safe agent is constant. The present publication investigated the effectiveness of lithium chloride under in vitro conditions on poultry red mites. This chemical currently appears to be one of the most promising alternatives to study amongst potential applicants to treat varroosis, a fatal disease of honey bees. In Experiment I, the previously used experimental doses (5.52 M, 2.76 M, 1.38 M) on Varroa mites confirmed their in vitro activity on the poultry red mite. Three event times (uncontrolled movement, immobilisation and death) were recorded to base the response to treatment for each concentration. In Experiment II, the LD 50 value was calculated, i.e., the value at which 50% of the mites were killed by the treatment. This Experiment showed that the LD50 of lithium chloride = 0.265 M in the poultry red mite. It is to note that the study remained restricted to in vitro confirmation of lithium chloride's effectiveness on the parasite. Thus, further extensive studies are needed to decide whether it has any relevance in practice against D. gallinae, and also to assess potential residue problems that could affect poultry products.

Varroosis is one of the most dangerous threats to the bee industry but means of its treatment are still unsatisfactory. Lithium-based anti-Varroa treatments may provide an alternative, as this trace element can be a natural component of honey and is well tolerated by adult bees. However, it can be toxic to larvae and its use in beekeeping practice is not yet well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of relevant application methods of acaricides used in beekeeping practice in brood-free conditions for lithium. Vaporisation proved to be an inefficient method of lithium treatment and killed only 9.9 ± 3.3% (mean ± SD) of mites in the hive. Lithium-impregnated paper strips showed moderate efficiency by killing 55.1 ± 26.2% of mites. The most effective way of applying lithium was the trickling method; different trickling treatments decreased the abundance of mites on average by 65 to 99.7%, depending on the applied dosage and the number of treatments. Repeated trickling treatments were more effective than single treatments, and they generally provided >90% efficiency. Experiments also proved that adding sugar to the trickling solution does not influence treatment efficiency. Thus, it is suggested that repeated and sugar-free trickling treatments with moderate lithium dosage could be the most rational methodology. Since lithium is not yet legalised in beekeeping practice, comprehensive studies are also needed to uncover the amount of lithium residue in bee products, depending on the treatment parameters.

Tetranychus urticae is a severe threat and a major source of yield loss in some agricultural and horticultural crops and it is also as a vector for several viruses. The number of active substances used against the pest is limited. Therefore, there is a continuous need for new active substances. Recently, lithium salts have been shown to be one of the most promising potential alternatives to control Varroa destructor; an apicultural mite pest. Based on this, we aimed to test whether the efficacy of lithium chloride extends to other agricultural mite pests, such as the two-spotted spider mite. In the present pilot study, we report for the first time that the efficacy of lithium chloride is extended to the two-spotted spider mite. Additionally, this is the first report on the acaricidal effectiveness of lithium on a plant mite pest. In the present study, we report three different concentrations that bear 100% mortality at concentrations of 5.52 M, 2.76 M, and 1.38 M. The symptoms caused were similar and followed the same sequence compared to those observed on animal parasites such as V. destructor and Dermanyssus gallinae.

Abstract Dermacentor reticulatus is considered a significant parasite because of the many diseases it spreads, which are dangerous to humans and animals. Control by repellents and pesticides, short duration of action or environmental damage and development of resistance make it impossible to achieve sustainable control. New active substances are constantly needed, and natural agents are given priority. Lithium salts have been shown to be effective against the related bee pest, Varroa destructor, a mite species, also by contact mode of action. In the present study, we investigated whether the contact efficacy of lithium chloride extends to other parasitic species such as D. reticulatus. Our results uncovered for the first time that beyond Varroa destructor the effectiveness of lithium chloride extends to the dog tick, offering 100% mortality at concentrations of 5.52 M, 2.76 M and 1.38 M. However, further comprehensive studies under in vivo conditions are warranted to ensure the relevance for practical application.

The biggest threat to beekeeping is varroosis caused by the mite Varroa destructor. Chemicals available to treat this fatal disease may present problems of resistance or inconsistent efficacy. Recently, lithium chloride has appeared as a potential alternative. To date, the amount of residue lithium treatments may leave in honeybee products is poorly understood. Honeybees were fed with 25 mM lithiated sugar syrup, which was used in earlier studies. The accumulation and elimination of the lithium were monitored in bees and their products for 22 days. Lithium concentration increased in the entire body of the bees to day 4 post-treatment and then recovered rapidly to the control level. Lithium exposure was found to affect uncapped honey in the short term (<16 days), but ripe (capped) honey measured at the end of the trial remained affected. On the other hand, lithium treatment left beeswax lithium-free. Based on these data, we propose that comprehensive research on harvested honey is needed to decide on the veterinary use of lithium.

Since lithium salts were demonstrated to be very effective for the potential control of Varroa destructor, a highly detrimental parasite of honey bee (Apis mellifera), no studies have been reported on their comparison with any commonly used varroicides in commercial bee colonies. In this study we compared the effectiveness of lithium chloride to that of oxalic acid, a widely used miticide. The results of the present study confirm that lithium has superior efficacy to oxalic acid sublimation both as a main or a supplementary pre-wintering treatment at moderate infestation levels, restricted to certain pre-wintering conditions. Considering its easy implementation in apicultural practice and its twofold mode of action, trickling would be the preferred way of administration after the use of lithium salts as varroicides is authorised.

Applying instrumental insemination in closely related honey bee colonies often leads to frequent lethality of offspring causing colony collapse. This is due to the peculiarities of honey bee reproductive biology, where the complementary sex determination (csd) gene drives sex determination within a haplodiploid system. Diploid drones containing homozygous genotypes are lethal. Tracking of csd alleles using molecular markers prevents this unwanted event in closed breeding programs. Our approach described here is based on high throughput sequencing (HTS) that provides more data than traditional molecular techniques and is capable of analysing sources containing multiple alleles, including diploid individuals as the bee queen. The approach combines HTS technique and clipping wings as a minimally invasive method to detect the complementary sex determiner (csd) alleles directly from honey bee queens. Furthermore, it might also be suitable for screening alleles of honey harvested from hives of a closed breeding facility. Data on alleles of the csd gene from different honey bee subspecies are provided. It might contribute to future databases that could potentially be used to track the origin of honey. With the help of tracking csd alleles, more focused crossings will be possible, which could in turn accelerate honey bee breeding programmes targeting increase tolerance against varroosis as well.

Lithium chemicals have been proven to be very effective in eradicating Varroa destructor, the detrimental parasite of the honey bee; however, little is known about the side effects on brood and long term consequences on the colony. Earlier, it was proposed that the action mechanisms of lithium chloride do not include the contact mode. Here, we investigate this question using a paper strip test to demonstrate the concentration-dependent effectiveness of lithium in the contact mode of action, confirming that it is also a contact agent against the Varroa mite. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on the high varroicidal effect of lithium in the contact mode of action. Our findings may open up possibilities for novel ways of treatment (e.g., the use of lithiated strips) in the event that lithium salts become legal for use in apiculture.