Saving the bees?: Synthesis of formamidines for acaricidal activity
Start Date
April 2026
Location
3rd floor - Library
Abstract
As a key species involved in pollination of a variety of plants, it is vital that the health of domestic honeybees (Apis mellifera) be well-maintained. In recent years however, honeybee colonies have been suffering from a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder (CCD). Contributing factors to CCD are varied, but a major component seems to be increased bee parasitism by Varroa destructor mites. Formamidine acaricides have proven effective against plant mites and one formamidine, Amitraz, is a front-line agent for protecting honeybees from Varroa mites; but the mites are evolving resistance to this pesticide. As a result, our group has undertaken the synthesis of formamidines derivatives, specifically chlordimeform analogs, with the goal of developing new compounds that are more toxic to Varroa mites but less toxic to bees. Once synthesized, these compounds will be further tested for activity against apiary mites.
Saving the bees?: Synthesis of formamidines for acaricidal activity
3rd floor - Library
As a key species involved in pollination of a variety of plants, it is vital that the health of domestic honeybees (Apis mellifera) be well-maintained. In recent years however, honeybee colonies have been suffering from a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder (CCD). Contributing factors to CCD are varied, but a major component seems to be increased bee parasitism by Varroa destructor mites. Formamidine acaricides have proven effective against plant mites and one formamidine, Amitraz, is a front-line agent for protecting honeybees from Varroa mites; but the mites are evolving resistance to this pesticide. As a result, our group has undertaken the synthesis of formamidines derivatives, specifically chlordimeform analogs, with the goal of developing new compounds that are more toxic to Varroa mites but less toxic to bees. Once synthesized, these compounds will be further tested for activity against apiary mites.
