Completed project
Protecting pollinators from pesticides: Developing safer, selective pesticides targeting Varroa mite and small hive beetle hormone receptors (PH20003)
Publication date: May 22, 2026
Delivery Partner: The University of Sydney
This project established that safer, more selective pesticides could be developed to control major honeybee pests while reducing the impact on honeybees themselves.
Researchers successfully produced and tested hormone receptor proteins from varroa mite, small hive beetle and honeybees, then screened more than 4,000 compounds to identify candidates that targeted the pests without strongly affecting bees. The work identified multiple promising compounds, including some that showed activity against both varroa mite and small hive beetle receptors while showing limited activity against the honeybee receptor. Preliminary testing in live mites and bees provided early evidence that this selective approach could translate into observable effects in the target organisms.
The findings provide a foundation for future development of safer pest-management products that better protect pollinators while controlling damaging hive pests. Further optimisation, hive-based testing and commercial development will be required, but the project established the tools, screening methods and lead compounds needed for future research.
This project was funded through Hort Innovation's Frontiers program
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