Bee-to-bee contact drives oxalic acid distribution in honey bee colonies

Abstract

-Nine divided hives were constructed to study the distribution of oxalic acid (OA). Experimental colonies were split into two equal, queenright sections with one of three divider types. The first divider allowed trophallaxis to occur between adult bees on each side, but did not allow bee-to-bee contact. The second divider did not allow trophallaxis or bee-to-bee contact. The third divider allowed both bee-to-bee contact and trophallaxis between the two sides. All three dividers allowed gas exchange of volatile materials. The objective was to investigate factors that contribute to the distribution of OA in a hive by monitoring Varroa destructor mortality. Forty mL of a 3.5% OA sugar water solution was trickled on one side of the divider. Sticky boards were used to quantify mite fall before, during, and after OA treatment on both treated and untreated sides. Trophallactic interactions and fumigation did not significantly influence the distribution of OA. Bee-to-bee contact was the primary route for OA distribution.Varroa destructor / Apis mellifera / oxalic acid / mode of action / distribution

Biology and control of Varroa destructor

“…sublimated with heat) without or with sugar; acaricidal action partly attributed to strong solution acidity, exact mode of action unclear; probably distributed via direct contact Efficacy >90% when colonies broodless, less than 60% when brood right; efficacy independent from temperature; negative effects on brood and bees if multiply applied in short intervals Aliano and Ellis (2008), Bacandritsos et al (2007), Charrière et al (1998), Planinc (2001, 2004), Gregorc and Poklukar (2003), Higes et al (1999), Kraus and Berg (1994), Martin-Hernandez et al (2007), Milani (2001a), Nanetti et al (2003), Rademacher (2006), Rademacher and Harz (2006), Rademacher and Imdorf (2004) Lactic acid, aqueous solution (e.g. 15%)…”

Honey Bee Toxicology

“…Honey bees have been used to assess the level of environmental contamination within the colony's 7-km 2 foraging range (19). Contaminated soil particles may stick to bees, or contaminants may be taken up by plants and incorporated into pollen and nectar (19,60,144).…”

Towards integrated control of varroa: 2)comparing application methods and doses of oxalic acid on the mortality of phoreticVarroa destructormites and their honey bee hosts

“…Resistance to coumaphos and flumethrin also occurs (Eizen et al, 2001, Elzen et al, 2000Elzen & Westevelt, 2002;Milani, 1999). Many other varroa control compounds have also been tried (Rosenkranz et al, 2010;Wallner, 1999;), including natural organic acids such as oxalic acid (OA; Aliano & Ellis, 2008;Bacandritsos, Papanastasiou, Saitanis, Nanetti, & Roinioti, 2007;Gregorc & Poklukar, 2003;Marinelli, Formato, Vari, & De Pace, 2006;Nanetti et al, 2003;Rademacher & Imdorf, 2004;Takeuchi & Sakai, 1985), formic acid (Althen, 1979;Eizen et al, 2001;Fries, Aarhus, Hansen, & Korpela, 1991;Mahmood, Wagchoure, Raja, & Sarwar, 2012;Satta et al, 2005), and lactic acid (Emsen & Dodologlu, 2009;Koeniger, Koeniger, & DelfinadoBaker, 1983;Kraus & Berg, 1994) and essential oils such as thymol (Emsen & Dodologlu, 2009;Floris, Satta, Cabras, Garau, & Angioni, 2004;Imdorf, Bogdanov, Ochoa, & Calderone, 1999).…”

“…It damages varroa mouthparts and also causes increased bee to bee contact and grooming (Aliano & Ellis, 2008;Aliano, Ellis, & Siegfried, 2006;Fries, Huazhen, Wei, & Jin, 1996;Schneider, Eisenhardt, & Rademacher, 2012). Grooming dislodges mites which then fall onto the hive floor where many die from starvation (Aliano et al, 2006;Stevanovic, Stanimirovic, Lakic, Djelic, & Radovic, 2012).…”