Norroa?

[Betsy True]

Anyone have any information on this newly licensed treatment?

[Matt]

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11942661/

What can go wrong? 🙄

[Marcin Matelski]

I'm at Apimondia and sat in on a presentation from Norroa makers

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From: mad...@googlegroups.com <mad...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Matt <matthew...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2025 2:43:33 AM
To: madbees <mad...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [madbees] Re: Norroa?

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[Jeanne Hansen]

Apparently, this uses RNA, which targets the mites not the bees. It is a radically different  kind of product and will be a great product to alternate with Formic Acid Quick Strips and Apiguard (Thymol.)  Let try it!!

On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 10:33 AM 'Betsy True' via madbees <mad...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Anyone have any information on this newly licensed treatment?

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Jeanne Hansen

824 Jacobson Ave

Madison,WI

608-244-5094

[larry lindokken]

I have heard it cost $12 per treatment.  The bees look like bees did prior to varroa for a significant 4 + weeks until the bees get reinfested. The product was tested by several large beekeepers in 200 perhaps lots.  Could change the way bees are kept.  Two treatments per year spring/fall apparently needed.  In addition formic pro treatment(s) maybe needed also. Expect that a lot more info will be coming in the bee journals etc. 

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[Jeanne Hansen]

Thank you Larry, for the information.

If Narroa costs $12 for one treatment of one large hive, and lasts 4+ weeks, I would be happy to rotate it into my mite treatment regimen.  It is still cheaper than buying new packages!

JEANNE

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[H. Adam Steinberg]

From the cited article: 

This study looked at whether the RNA-based treatment vadescana, designed to kill varroa mites in honey bee hives, might also affect other species. Researchers used computer analyses to check for genetic sequence matches between vadescana and genes from other arthropods, then tested some species in the lab for actual effects.

Key Points in Simple Language

• Main target: Vadescana was designed to match genes in Varroa destructor (the main bee parasite) and also matched the closely related mite V. jacobsoni, which is an emerging pest in the Pacific. This suggests it should work against both species.

• Other mites: Some genetic matches were found with three additional mites:

  • Tropilaelaps mercedesae (an emerging honey bee parasite).

  • Tetranychus urticae (spider mite, crop pest).

  • Stratiolaelaps scimitus (a beneficial soil mite).
    However, except for T. mercedesae, these species don’t live in or near hives, so exposure is unlikely.

• Fruit flies, earwigs, monarch butterflies: A few sequence matches were found, but:

  • These species are not near bee hives.

  • Past studies show they are resistant to RNAi treatments like vadescana.

  • Monarchs were even fed similar dsRNA without harm.

• Greater wax moth (a hive associate): Lab feeding trials with high doses of vadescana showed no meaningful negative effects, other than a very small reduction in male moth weight.

• Honey bees: Since bees would be directly exposed, studies tested their survival, development, and behavior:

  • No harm to larvae or pupae.

  • Adult bees showed normal survival compared to other mite-control treatments.

  • Bees treated with vadescana actually foraged more and lived longer than untreated bees, though a bit shorter than those in hives treated with Apivar® (a chemical miticide).

• General caution: Computer-based sequence matching alone exaggerates risk, because even if there is a match, many species do not actually respond to dsRNA. Real-world exposure and lab testing are critical.

Bottom Line

Vadescana seems highly specific to varroa mites, including V. jacobsoni, with little to no risk of harming other insects or mites tested. Some theoretical genetic matches exist in non-target species, but lab tests and ecological context suggest they are unlikely to be affected. For honey bees, the results indicate safety and even potential health benefits compared to untreated colonies.

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[Jeanne Hansen]

Adam,

Thanks for this simple-language review of the Norroa miticide.  It is sounding better and better!!

I am enthusiastic about trying it next year.

JEANNE

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