N Scaramella

Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

4 publications 2015 – 2024 ORCID
BeesVarroidaeReproductionPheromonesEsters

What does N Scaramella research?

N Scaramella studies how certain populations of honey bees, particularly in Sweden, develop resistance to the Varroa destructor mite, a significant threat to bee health and honey production. They examine the chemical signals produced by these bees and the biological traits of their larvae that help limit mite reproduction. By understanding these processes, their research aims to improve breeding practices for mite-resistant bees. Additionally, Scaramella investigates how environmental factors, such as pH and predator stress, impact the behavior and stress responses of moor frog tadpoles, revealing how adaptations can occur in reaction to challenging environments.

Key findings

  • In a study on honey bees, resistant populations showed a distinct chemical profile shortly after larvae are sealed, potentially disrupting the reproductive timing of Varroa mites.
  • Research demonstrated that Varroa mite reproduction is significantly reduced by specific larval traits in resistant honeybee populations, independent of adult bee behavior, marking a new direction for breeding efforts.
  • Moor frog tadpoles from acidic environments had higher stress hormone levels and altered movement patterns than those from neutral environments, indicating behavioral adaptations to environmental stressors.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Scaramella study honey bee resistance to mites?
Yes, Dr. Scaramella researches honey bee populations that have developed resistance to the Varroa destructor mite.
What techniques does Dr. Scaramella use in their research?
Their work involves examining chemical profiles of bees and analyzing the biological properties of bee larvae to understand resistance mechanisms.
Is Dr. Scaramella's work relevant to environmental changes affecting amphibians?
Yes, they study how tadpoles adapt to different environmental stressors, which is crucial for understanding the impact of climate change on amphibian populations.

Publications in plain English

Unique brood ester profile in a Varroa destructor resistant population of European honey bee (Apis mellifera).

2024

Scientific reports

Scaramella N, Glinwood R, Locke B

Plain English
Some honey bee populations in Sweden have survived without mite treatments for 25 years, and this study examined whether their chemical signals might be responsible. Researchers found that shortly after bee larvae are sealed in their cells, the chemical profiles of resistant bees differ meaningfully from non-resistant bees. This chemical difference may disrupt the mite's ability to time its own reproduction, offering a concrete clue for breeding mite-resistant bees.

PubMed

Host brood traits, independent of adult behaviours, reduce Varroa destructor mite reproduction in resistant honeybee populations.

2023

International journal for parasitology

Scaramella N, Burke A, Oddie M, Dahle B, de Miranda JR +4 more

Plain English
Varroa mites reproduce inside sealed bee brood cells, and this study tested whether the bees' behavior or the larvae themselves are responsible for limiting mite reproduction in resistant populations. By blocking adult bees from accessing the brood, researchers showed that lower mite reproductive success persisted regardless — meaning the larvae carry the resistance trait on their own. This finding directs future breeding efforts toward the brood's biological properties rather than adult bee behaviors.

PubMed

Short-term responses of Rana arvalis tadpoles to pH and predator stress: adaptive divergence in behavioural and physiological plasticity?

2022

Journal of comparative physiology. B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology

Scaramella N, Mausbach J, Laurila A, Stednitz S, Räsänen K

Plain English
Moor frogs from acidic environments and those from neutral environments were exposed to acid water and predator scent to see how each population responds. Tadpoles from acid environments reacted with higher stress hormone levels and different movement patterns than those from neutral environments, even when raised in the same conditions beforehand. This shows that adaptation to a harsh environment can reshape both behavior and hormonal stress responses at a population level.

PubMed

Public Interest in Morcellation Controversy.

2015

Journal of minimally invasive gynecology

Balica AC, Bachmann G, Esguerra C, Scaramella N

PubMed

Publication data sourced from PubMed . Plain-English summaries generated by AI. Not medical advice.