Repellent and acaricidal effects of botanical extracts on Varroa destructor

Abstract

Extracts of indigenous plants from South America have shown a broad spectrum of bioactivities. No-contaminant and natural substances have recently resurged as control treatment options for varroosis in honey bee colonies from Argentina. The aim of this work was to evaluate the biological activity of botanical extracts from Baccharis flabellata and Minthostachys verticillata on Varroa destructor and Apis mellifera. The acaricidal and insecticidal activities were assessed by the spraying application method. Both ethanolic extracts showed high levels of toxicity against the mites and were harmless to their host, A. mellifera. During the attractive-repellent test, the olfactory stimulus evoked for the extract from B. flabellata resulted as a repellent for mites. The aromatic stimulus of these extracts would be strong enough to cause disturbance on the behavior of V. destructor. Thus, the repellent effect of these substances plus the toxicity on mites postulate these botanical extracts like promising natural compound to be incorporated for the control of varroosis.

Challenges for developing pathogen-based biopesticides against Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae)

“…Bee researchers and beekeepers have developed and tested numerous biological or biotechnical methods to control this mite, including drone brood removal (Wantuch and Tarpy 2009), which is labor intensive, screens on bottom boards (Harbo and Harris 2004;Delaplane et al 2005), and dusting with a powder such as flour or powdered sugar (Fakhimzadeh 2001), methods which have not always been found effective (Ellis et al 2009;Rosenkranz et al 2010). The most common approach (and until recently the most effective) has been chemical control, which includes synthetic miticides and organic acids as well as plant essential oils (e.g., Ruffinengo et al 2002;Eguaras et al 2005;Damiani et al 2010). Given the damage that V. destructor can do to individual bees and entire colonies, beekeepers seek a control strategy that does not require either intensive hive manipulation or multiple applications of chemicals to beehives, which has inherent risks of honey and wax contamination, bee toxicity, and pest resistance.…”

The Use of Medicinal Aromatic Plants Against Bee Diseases and Pests

“…Ethanolic extracts of Baccharis flabellate Hook & Arn (baccharises) and Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling (peperina) have been shown to be highly effective against mites, and their applications did not have a negative effect on bees (Damiani et al, 2011). As essential oils positively affect the caring behaviour of honey bee colonies against varroa (Abd El Wahab, Ebadah, & Zidan, 2012), it has been reported that the concentration of 21.1% of neem seed oil (Azadirachta indica) led to 100% mortality percentage of Varroa mites after 72 hours (González-Gómez, Otero-Colina, Villanueva-Jiménez, Peña-Valdivia, & Santizo-Rincón, 2012).…”

Antimicrobial potentials of medicinal plant’s extract and their derived silver nanoparticles: A focus on honey bee pathogen

“…To lower the hazardous effects caused by V. destructor , several plant extracts have been found to be extremely effective. These are Groundsel bush ( Baccharis flabellate ), Peperina (Minthostachys verticillata) (Damiani et al, 2011), Pepperwort (Lepidium latifolium) (Razavi et al, 2015), Thymol (Thymus kotschyanus) (Ghasemi et al, 2011), Laurel (Laurus nobilis), thyme (Damiani et al, 2009), savory, spearmint (Ariana et al, 2002).…”