Chitosan-dsRNA improves tissue stability and delivery for RNAi-mediated Varroa destructor control.
BACKGROUND Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite and a major threat to honey-bee colony health worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a potentially species-specific approach for mite control, but practical application is limited by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) degradation and inefficient delivery to mites. This...