From consumption to excretion: Lithium concentrations in honey bees (Apis mellifera) after lithium chloride application and time‐dependent effects on Varroa destructor

Owing to its systemic mode-of-action and ease of application, lithium chloride (LiCl) is an ideal varroacide for the control of Varroa destructor infestations in honey bee colonies. To better understand how LiCl functions within a colony, we screened different parts of honey bee anatomy for lithium accumulation. We wanted to elucidate the time-dependent effects of LiCl on V. destructor and its metabolism within honey bees when they were fed continuous LiCl treatments, as well as evaluate potential adverse effects such as accumulation in the hypopharyngeal glands of nurse bees, which could negatively impact queens and larvae.