The effects of climate and bee race on Varroa jacobsoni Oud infestations in Brazil

Changes in the reproductive ability of the mite Varroa destructor (Anderson e Trueman) in africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies in southern Brazil

“…Since the fi rst studies on the population dynamics of the mite V. destructor, the race of A. mellifera was considered to be the main factor that infl uences reproductive success (Ritter & De Jong 1984, Engels et al 1986, Moretto et al 1991. It is unknown whether the severity of the effects caused by the Varroa parasite depends on the genotype of the bees, on the genotype of the mite or on the interaction of both.…”

“…In most parts of South America, as Brazil and Paraguay, low levels of infestation caused by V. destructor were registered, without causing serious problems to the bee colonies , Moretto 2002. However, this mite causes more problems in temperate climates than in tropical regions (Moretto et al 1991, De Jong & Soares 1997. Nevertheless, it is also clear that the type of bee also affects the development of this parasite.…”

“…Nevertheless, it is also clear that the type of bee also affects the development of this parasite. African bees and their hybrids are more tolerant to the mite than European bee races , Moretto et al 1991, Medina & Martin 1999). …”

“…The number of descendants per female adult mite parasitizing worker brood cells is higher in European bees than in African bees and their hybrids (Camazine 1986, Moretto et al 1991. In South and Central America, adult female mites showed reduced fecundity on Africanized A. mellifera compared to that observed with mites on European A. mellifera in Europe (Rosenkanz & Engels 1994, Medina & Martin 1999, Calderone et al 2003.…”

Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans tolerance in selected stocks of Apis mellifera L

“…Likewise, when Varroa infestation levels in A m ligustica were compared to AHB, the ligustica type had higher infestation rates than AHB (Moretto et al, 1991). These authors also observed that infestation levels were higher in cooler regions of Brazil and thus suggested that both climate and bee race affected seasonal populations of Varroa mites.…”