Biological activity of some plant essential oils against Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae), an ectoparasitic mite of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate acaricidal activity of the essential oils of Thymus kotschyanus, Ferula assa-foetida and Eucalyptus camaldulensis against Varroa destructor under laboratory conditions. Moreover, fumigant toxicity of these oils was tested on Apis mellifera. After preliminary dose-setting experiments, mites and honey bees were exposed to different concentrations of the oil, with 10 h exposure time. Essential oil of T. kotschyanus appeared the most potent fumigant for V. destructor (LC(50) = 1.07, 95% confidence limit (CL) = 0.87-1.26 μl/l air), followed by E. camaldulensis (LC(50) = 1.74, 95% CL = 0.96-2.50 μl/l air). The lowest acaricidal activity (LC(50) = 2.46, 95% CL = 2.10-2.86 μl/l air) was attributed to essential oil of F. assa-foetida. Surprisingly, among the three oils tested, essential oil of T. kotschyanus had the lowest insecticidal activity against A. mellifera (LC(50) = 5.08, 95% CL = 4.54-5.06 μl/l air). These findings proved that essential oil of T. kotschyanus has potential of practical value for use as alternative acaricide in the management of varroa in apiaries.

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil from Cuba and Brazil against housefly

“…Some studies revealed satisfactory results from the use of several essential oils for insect management such as the cosmopolitan pest house fly, Musca domestica L. (PAVELA, 2008); malarian vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae Giles (McALLISTER & ADAMS, 2010); parasitic mites of the honeybees bee Varroa destructor (ANDERSON & TRUEMAN, 2000); Acari: Varroidae (GHASEMI et al, 2011); and the maize weevil adults, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulky (FAZOLIN et al, 2007).…”

The effect of thyme (Thymus caucasicus) ethanol extract on Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), an ectoparasite mite of Apis mellifera meda (Hym: Apidae)

“…One of these methods consists of using plant extracts. Secondary metabolites of some of the plants have an important role to play in withstanding pest damages, so the use of these plant derivatives could replace chemical acaricides in the control of mites (Kim et al, 2005;Ghasemi et al, 2010). In addition, when compared with chemical pesticides, plant extracts are more compatible with ecosystems, less toxic to mammals and non-target organisms, and leave no persisting materials in nature (Georges et al, 2007;Liu et al, 2005).…”

“…Although up until now thyme has been mostly used for its pharmaceutical qualities and as a medicinal plant, now there is evidence that it should be also used as an acaricide and an insecticide. However, more studies are needed to confirm such properties (Ghasemi et al, 2010;Wandscheer et al, 2004;Akbarinia, Mirza, 2008). Beekeepers can monthly do one practice to manage Varroa mites in their colonies using mechanical methods (e.g., sprinkling honey bees with sugar syrup).…”

Chemical&nbsp;Variability and&nbsp;Biological Activities of&nbsp;<em>Eucalyptus</em> spp. Essential Oils

“…For most E. camaldulensis EOs, 1,8-cineole is the major constituent. This oxygenated monoterpene has been found in quantities superior to 50% in EOs produced by plants cultivated in Egypt (60.3%) [63], the Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.9%) [53], Nigeria (70.4%) [67], Brazil (52.8%) [70,71] and Iran (74.7%) [69]. Plants cultivated in Kenya [78], Northern Cyprus [64] and Argentina [75,76] …”

“…The acaricide activity of essential oils from E. camaldulensis on V. destructor mite was also investigated and a LD50 of 1.74 µL/L of air was found [69].…”