Evaluation of Two Commonly Used Field Tests to Assess Varroa destructor Infestation on Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies

Pietropaoli, Marco; Gajger, Ivana Tlak; Costa, Cecília; Gerula, Dariusz; Wilde, J.; Adjlane, Noureddine; Aldea-Sánchez, Patricia; Škerl, Maja Ivana Smodiš; Bubnič, Jernej; Formato, Giovanni

doi:10.3390/app11104458

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…However, further studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness and action mechanisms of soft acaricides against V. destructor and their impact on honey bee colony health (queen longevity, effect on worker, and adult brood longevity). Field experiments need to be conducted in varying environmental conditions as the effects of soft acaricides and mite infestation are environmental dependent [58,72]. Controlled experiments involving a known mite population against various concentrations need to be conducted to estimate the lethal concentration (LD 50 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Different Soft Acaricides against Honey Bee Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae)

Qadir

Idrees

Mahmood

et al. 2021

Insects

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Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are essential for their products—honey, royal jelly, pollen, propolis and beeswax. They are also indispensable because they support ecosystems with their pollination services. However, the production and functions of honey bees are hindered by the arthropod pest Varroa destructor, which attacks bees through its feeding activities. Efforts to control varroa mites have been made through the development of various synthetic pesticide groups, but have had limited success because the mites developed resistance and some of these pesticides are harmful to bees. Branded pesticides are rarely used in Pakistan, as beekeepers utilize acaricides from unknown sources. There is a need to create awareness of available naturally occurring acaricides that may serve as an alternative to synthetic acaricides. Although some naturally occurring compounds are considered toxic to the environment, the soft acaricides oxalic acid, thymol, and formic acid 65% are usually safe for honey bee colonies and beekeepers, when handled appropriately. The current study investigated the effectiveness of formic acid (10, 15, and 20 mL/hive), oxalic acid (4.2, 3.2, and 2.1%/hive), and thymol (6, 4, and 2 g/hive) in controlling mite infestation. The results indicated that all treatments significantly reduced the mite population (p < 0.05). The average efficacies of oxalic acid at 3.2% (94.84% ± 0.34) and 4.2% (92.68% ± 0.37) were significantly higher than those of the other treatments. The lowest efficacy was recorded in formic acid 65% at 10 mL (54.13%). Overall, the results indicated that soft acaricides—such as oxalic acid at 3.2% and 4.2% concentrations—are very effective at controlling varroa mites and can be used in broodless conditions without side effects.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Different Soft Acaricides against Honey Bee Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae)

Qadir

Idrees

Mahmood

et al. 2021

Insects

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“…Finally, it is noteworthy that the producer of VarroMed ® leaves the decision to apply an extra-treatment or not to the beekeepers, based on the Varroa infestation levels obtained after the previous treatment [51]. This approach to the treatment against Varroa mites based on an integrated pest management (IPM) includes the implementation of good beekeeping practices [52] and beekeeper education to achieve sustainable and successful beekeeping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas

et al. 2021

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VarroMed® is a soft acaricide registered for honey bees on the European Union market since 2017 for Varroa control. Researchers involved were partners of different countries of the Varroa control task force of the COLOSS Association. Our goal was to evaluate performances (acaricide efficacy and toxic effects on honey bees) of VarroMed® in different climatic conditions. Our results in the tested apiaries showed an efficacy ranging from 71.2 to 89.3% in summer/autumn, and from 71.8 to 95.6% in winter. No toxic effects on bees were observed, except in one apiary, where severe cold climatic conditions played a crucial role. The treatment could be efficiently applied in broodright as well as in broodless colonies. Integrated pest management (IPM) recommendations for beekeepers are provided in order to apply the best Varroa control protocol.

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“…Finally, it is noteworthy that the producer of VarroMed ® leaves the decision to apply an extra-treatment or not to the beekeepers, based on the Varroa infestation levels obtained after the previous treatment [51]. This approach to the treatment against Varroa mites based on an integrated pest management (IPM) includes the implementation of good beekeeping practices [52] and beekeepers' education to a sustainable and successful beekeeping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa Destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas

Škerl¹,

Rivera-Gomis²,

Gajger³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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VarroMed® is a soft acaricide registered for honey bees on the European Union market since 2017 for Varroa control. Researchers involved were partners of different countries of the Varroa control task force of COLOSS Association. Our goal was to evaluate performances (acaricide efficacy and toxic effects on honey bees) of VarroMed® in different climatic conditions. Our results in the tested apiaries showed an efficacy ranging from 71.2 to 89.3 % in summer/autumn, and from 71.8 % to 95.6 % in winter. No toxic effects on bees were observed, except in one apiary, where severe cold climatic conditions played a crucial role. The treatment could be efficiently applied in brood right as well as in broodless colonies. Integrated pest management (IPM) recommendations for bee-keepers are provided in order to apply the best Varroa control protocol.

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Evaluation of Two Commonly Used Field Tests to Assess Varroa destructor Infestation on Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies

Cited by 19 publications

References 19 publications

Effectiveness of Different Soft Acaricides against Honey Bee Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae)

Effectiveness of Different Soft Acaricides against Honey Bee Ectoparasitic Mite Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae)

Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas

Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa Destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas

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