Effects of Genetic Origin of Honeybees and Climate on Prevalence and Infestation Levels of Varroa

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of honeybee genetic origin, climate type and the interactions between these variables on the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa in a large population of honeybee colonies (n = 1134). For each colony, the morphotype, haplotype and climate type were determined. No differences between the Africanized, European and Hybrid morphotypes were found for the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa (p > 0.05). Differences between honeybee haplotypes were found for the prevalence of Varroa (p < 0.05), and the prevalence was higher in the African haplotype than in the European haplotype. No differences between honeybee haplotypes were found for the infestation levels of Varroa (p > 0.05). Differences were found between climate type for the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa (p < 0.05): the temperate sub-humid climate had a higher prevalence and higher infestation levels than the semi-warm climate and the warm sub-humid climate. Correlations between the infestation levels of Varroa and mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, winter precipitation and Lang index were found.