Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40526628›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Adjuvants to improve efficacy of miticides in managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies to control Varroa destructor.

Brandon Shannon, Rui Zhang, Lucas Marsh, Reed M Johnson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Brandon ShannonDepartment of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America.ORCID 0009-0007-9382-1041
Rui ZhangDepartment of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
Lucas MarshDepartment of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America.
Reed M JohnsonDepartment of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0002-2431-0180

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Beekeepers must manage Varroa destructor mites to maintain colony health. Large-scale beekeepers often use chemical treatments (miticides) to manage this pest. Miticide resistance drives a need for compounds with alternative modes of toxic action that can be used in rotation as part of a Varroa management plan. This research aimed to determine the efficacy of oxalic acid, clove oil, and fenpyroximate when delivered in glycerin soaked in strips and combined with a range of bee-safe adjuvants. Adjuvants are a group of compounds used in plant pesticide applications to increase the spreading and penetration of a pesticide. Laboratory cage trials tested a miticidal active ingredient (oxalic acid, clove oil, or fenpyroximate) and an adjuvant (Ecostep BC-12®, Ecostep SE-11®, Ecostep AE-13®, Ecostep CE-13®, or Silwet L-7500®) in glycerin-soaked strips. Field trials evaluated the best performing active ingredient-adjuvant combination from cage trials, oxalic acid combined with Ecostep BC-12® adjuvant in glycerin-soaked strips. Neither glycerin control, oxalic acid alone, or oxalic acid with adjuvant caused a significant change in Varroa per 100 bees in field trial year 1, when starting Varroa levels were high (average 11.8 Varroa per 100 bees across all treatment groups). In year 2, when starting Varroa levels were low (average 0.58 Varroa per 100 bees across all treatment groups), Varroa per 100 bees increased 2.6-fold for the glycerin control and 2.8-fold for oxalic acid alone, while a 29% reduction was observed in the oxalic acid with adjuvant treatment. Additionally, mite drop data indicated increased speed for the miticidal effect when an adjuvant is included with oxalic acid. This research informs formulation chemistries for oxalic acid and other miticides to help beekeepers maintain healthy hives.

Indexed as

AcaricidesAdjuvants, PharmaceuticVarroidaeAnimalsBeekeepingBeesClove OilOxalic AcidAcaricidesAdjuvants, PharmaceuticClove OilOxalic Acid

Identifiers

PMID40526628
PMCPMC12173398

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.