Key Takeaways:
- GreenLight Bio announced EPA registration of Norroa™, the first nature-based treatment for varroa mites
- Product offers beekeepers an RNAi-based solution, providing extended control up to 18 weeks
- Honey bee colony losses in the U.S. reached 1.7 million between June 2024 and March 2025
- Field trials confirm Norroa is safe for bees, people, other insects, and the environment
- Norroa will be distributed through Mann Lake Ltd. and its authorized dealer network
GreenLight Bio Introduces New Beekeeping Tool
GreenLight Bio announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered Norroa™, marking the first nature-based treatment specifically developed to combat varroa mites, the leading threat to honey bee colonies. The registration provides American beekeepers with a new tool as the industry grapples with record colony losses.
Colony Losses and Urgent Need
According to the Honey Bee Health Coalition, commercial beekeepers lost an average of 62% of colonies between June 2024 and March 2025, totaling 1.7 million colonies. USDA researchers and entomologists at Washington State University warn losses could reach 70% this year if effective interventions are not adopted. Declining efficacy of existing miticides has fueled the spread of mites, which transmit viruses harmful to colonies and agriculture.
Norroa’s Technology and Impact
Norroa uses vadescana, an RNA interference (RNAi) technology, to target varroa mites and halt their reproduction. Classified by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee as Group 35, the treatment provides a new mode of action and breaks down quickly in the environment.
Field trials across multiple U.S. regions showed mite control lasting up to 18 weeks, resulting in stronger colonies and improved winter survival rates. Researchers also confirmed Norroa’s safety for bees, humans, and the broader ecosystem.
Industry and Beekeeper Perspectives
GreenLight Bio executives emphasized the product’s importance in safeguarding pollinators. CEO Andrey Zarur said, “The EPA registration of Norroa marks a pivotal moment in protecting honey bee colonies that are essential to our food system.”
Beekeepers echoed the urgency. Jason Miller of Miller Honey Farms noted, “As a fifth-generation beekeeper, I’ve seen firsthand how varroa mites can devastate colonies… Norroa offers a genuinely effective and environmentally responsible option to protect our bees.”
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