Alkali metal salt for use in treatment of Varroa destructor mite infestation of honey bees
Inventors
HANNUS, Stefan • Rosenkranz, Peter • Ziegelmann, Bettina
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11723366-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to the use of alkali metal salts and preferably lithium chloride for treatment of Varroa destructor infestation of honey bees.
Core Innovation
The invention is directed to treating Varroa destructor mite infestation in bees by administering an organic or inorganic salt of lithium. The lithium in the lithium salt acts as a miticidal agent, and the salt is administered in a concentration range equimolar to about 1 to about 150 mM LiCl anhydrous with respect to the lithium ion. The concept is presented as prophylactic, therapeutic, or prophylactic and therapeutic treatment for the mite infestation.
The disclosure further provides formulations and administration modes in which lithium salts are delivered to bees, including bee-ingestible compositions and sprayable compositions. It also describes administration in a solid composition via surface contact, with concentrations defined through equimolarity relative to LiCl anhydrous. The disclosed context includes timing associated with decreased queen egg-laying, including a period described as September to December.
The disclosure includes comparative and supportive findings involving lithium chloride (LiCl) and other lithium salts, including Li-citrate, Li-sulfate, Li-acetate, Li-lactate, and Li-carbonate. Results described include that siRNA dsRNA feeding does not show a specific RNAi advantage, and that the miticidal effect is attributed to LiCl co-purified in dsRNA precipitation. The disclosure also states that comparative testing indicates NaCl and MgCl2 lack acaricidal effect or impair bee viability, and that multiple lithium salts exhibit strong acaricidal activity. In vitro larval assays are described as showing high lethality to larvae at or above 10 mM, supporting application during reduced egg-laying periods.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim covering prophylactic, therapeutic, or prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Varroa destructor infestation by administering a lithium salt with an equimolar LiCl-anhydrous-referenced lithium-ion concentration range. The claim set includes dependent refinements that specify inventive features such as the form of delivery (ingestible, sprayable, or solid surface-contact), optional nutritional components, target bee population, and narrowed equimolar concentration ranges for ingestible compositions.
Lithium-ion miticidal agent at equimolar LiCl-anhydrous lithium concentration
A method treating Varroa destructor mite infestation of bees by administering an organic or inorganic salt of lithium, where the lithium in the lithium salt is a miticidal agent, and the salt is administered in a concentration range equimolar to about 1 to about 150 mM LiCl anhydrous with respect to the lithium ion.
Bee-ingestible or sprayable lithium-salt delivery
The organic or inorganic lithium salt is provided as a bee-ingestible composition or a sprayable composition.
Equimolar ingestible lithium concentration range
The bee-ingestible composition comprises the lithium organic or inorganic salt in an equimolar concentration range to about 5 to about 100 mM LiCl anhydrous.
Nutritional solution with optional sucrose components
The bee-ingestible composition is a nutritional solution optionally comprising sucrose, corn syrup, and/or sucrose syrup.
Treatment of honeybees, foragers, and/or hive bees
The bees are honeybees, foragers, hive bees, or a combination thereof.
Solid lithium-salt surface contact
The lithium salt is administered as a solid composition by surface contact.
Across the identified independent claim and its dependent refinements, the core claim coverage is centered on administering a lithium organic or inorganic salt as a miticidal agent with lithium-ion dosing defined as equimolar to about 1 to 150 mM LiCl anhydrous, with additional limitations specifying delivery form (ingestible, sprayable, or solid surface-contact), optional nutritional ingredients, selected bee groups, and narrower equimolar concentration ranges for ingestible compositions.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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