GreenLight Biosciences is pleased to announce the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) registration of NorroaTM, the first-ever nature-based treatment specifically designed to combat varroa mites, the leading threat to honey bee colonies.
The registration comes at a time when data from the Honey Bee Health Coalition reveals staggering honey bee colony losses of 1.7 million colonies and commercial beekeepers sustaining an average loss of 62% between June 2024 and March 2025. USDA researchers have discovered this alarming trend is related to the declining efficacy of existing miticides as varroa mites have developed resistance to once reliable chemical treatments.
“The EPA registration of Norroa marks a pivotal moment in protecting honey bee colonies that are essential to our food system,” said Andrey Zarur, Chief Executive Officer, GreenLight Bio. “By harnessing the precision of our proprietary technologies, we’re providing beekeepers with an environmentally conscious solution that specifically and effectively targets one of the most devastating threats to honey bee health.”
Norroa’s active ingredient, vadescana, leverages RNA interference (RNAi), a natural biological process that precisely targets varroa mites and ultimately stops their reproduction. It is part of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee‘s (IRAC) Group 35, offering beekeepers a brand-new mode of action in the fight against these mites. The nucleic acids in the product are found in nature, and vadescana breaks down quickly in the environment.
Varroa mites can double their population every 30 days and have evolved resistance to many chemical treatments. Without significant intervention, experts warn of dire consequences for U.S. agriculture, which relies on honey bee pollination for more than 100 crops valued at an estimated $20 billion annually.
Norroa will be available for sale exclusively through Mann Lake Ltd. and its authorized dealer network. Beekeepers and agricultural professionals can learn more at norroa.com.