# Spider venom selectively kills varroa mites, spares honeybees

Researchers discovered that venom from certain spiders can kill varroa mites, a devastating parasite of honeybees, without harming the bees themselves. This finding offers a potential new, targeted approach to controlling mite infestations that threaten global bee populations and agriculture.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### Technology
- [Hacker News](https://connectsci.au/news/news-parent/9703/Spider-venom-kills-varroa-mites-without-harming) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:14:45 +0000