"Varroa mites pose a significant global menace to honeybee colonies, causing colony
losses, ecological imbalances, and food scarcity. Escalating pesticide resistance in these mites
necessitates innovative strategies to bolster acaricide effectiveness. Small molecule synergists that
heighten mite susceptibility to acaricides offer a promising solution by amplifying chemical treatment
efficacy, thus reducing overall pesticide demand. Present synergist development strategies primarily
target metabolic enzyme inhibition to restore insect sensitivity to pesticides. Our research focuses on
ABC efflux transporters, pivotal in cellular xenobiotic handling, as a new approach. We aim to establish
a toxicokinetic pipeline to uncover novel synergists and validate their ability to increase Varroa mite
vulnerability to existing miticides. By capitalizing on synergistic interactions between sensitizing agents
and acaricides, we aim to equip beekeepers and regulators with a sustainable toolbox to combat
Varroa resistance, ultimately fostering long-term honey bee well-being."
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