Three pillars of Varroa control

Apidologie ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jernej Bubnič ◽  
Rudolf Moosbeckhofer ◽  
Janez Prešern ◽  
Ajda Moškrič ◽  
Giovanni Formato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Varroa Control

scholarly journals Overt Infection with Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV) in Two Honey Bee Colonies

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Julia Dittes ◽  
Marc O. Schäfer ◽  
Heike Aupperle-Lellbach ◽  
Christoph K. W. Mülling ◽  
Ilka U. Emmerich
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Queen Replacement ◽  
Colony Loss ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Varroa Control ◽  
Paralysis Virus ◽  
Nosema Infection ◽  
Worker Bee

Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), a widespread honey bee RNA virus, causes massive worker bee losses, mostly in strong colonies. Two different syndromes, with paralysis, ataxia and flight incapacity on one hand and black hairless individuals with shortened abdomens on the other, can affect a colony simultaneously. This case report presents two Apis mellifera carnica colonies with symptoms of paralysis and hairless black syndrome in 2019. Via RT-PCR, a highly positive result for CBPV was detected in both samples. Further problems, such as a Nosema infection and Varroa infestation, were present in these colonies. Therapy methods were applied to colony 1 comprising queen replacement, shook swarm method and Varroa control, whereas colony 2 was asphyxiated after queen loss and colony weakening. After therapy, colony 1 was wintered without symptoms. Beekeeping and sanitary measures can save a CBPV-infected colony, while further complications result in total colony loss.

Use of Chemical and Nonchemical Methods for the Control of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) and Associated Winter Colony Losses in U.S. Beekeeping Operations

2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 1509-1525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariela I Haber ◽  
Nathalie A Steinhauer ◽  
Dennis vanEngelsdorp
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Potential Control ◽  
Winter Losses ◽  
Varroa Control

Abstract The parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) is a major cause of overwintering honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses in the United States, suggesting that beekeepers must control Varroa populations to maintain viable colonies. Beekeepers have access to several chemical varroacides and nonchemical practices to control Varroa populations. However, no studies have examined large-scale patterns in Varroa control methods in the United States. Here we used responses from 4 yr of annual surveys of beekeepers representing all regions and operation sizes across the United States to investigate use of Varroa control methods and winter colony losses associated with use of different methods. We focused on seven varroacide products (amitraz, coumaphos, fluvalinate, hop oil, oxalic acid, formic acid, and thymol) and six nonchemical practices (drone brood removal, small-cell comb, screened bottom boards, powdered sugar, mite-resistant bees, and splitting colonies) suggested to aid in Varroa control. We found that nearly all large-scale beekeepers used at least one varroacide, whereas small-scale beekeepers were more likely to use only nonchemical practices or not use any Varroa control. Use of varroacides was consistently associated with the lowest winter losses, with amitraz being associated with lower losses than any other varroacide product. Among nonchemical practices, splitting colonies was associated with the lowest winter losses, although losses associated with sole use of nonchemical practices were high overall. Our results suggest potential control methods that are effective or preferred by beekeepers and should therefore inform experiments that directly test the efficacy of different control methods. This will allow beekeepers to incorporate Varroa control methods into management plans that improve the overwintering success of their colonies.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Oxalic Acid Vaporization and Brood Interruption in Controlling the Honey Bee Pest Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 582-588
Author(s):  
Cameron J Jack ◽  
Edzard van Santen ◽  
James D Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Oxalic Acid ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Colony Management ◽  
Varroa Control

Abstract A successful Integrated Pest Management approach to Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman control in managed colonies of western honey bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) must be an improvement over conventional control methods and include cost-effective treatments that can be readily employed by beekeepers. Herein, we tested the efficacy of oxalic acid (OA) vaporization and brood interruption as Varroa controls. Sixty experimental colonies were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups with 10 colonies per group. The six treatments were: 1) OA applied once, 2) OA applied three times, 3) brood interruption, 4) OA applied once + brood interruption, 5) OA applied three times + brood interruption, and 6) no OA or brood interruption. The OA was applied via vaporization, with each application being 1 g OA applied through the hive entrance (label rate), on the bottom board. Brood interruption was accomplished by caging a colony’s queen in a queen cage for a period of 24 d. An additional 10 colonies were treated with amitraz (Apivar - positive control). Varroa levels were estimated before, during, and after treatment applications using sticky boards left in colonies for 3 d. Our data suggest that queen caging to achieve brood interruption during the fall season can negatively impact colony strength and survival. We observed high colony mortality in some treatments, despite diligent colony management to alleviate the side effects of the treatments. Colonies treated with amitraz were healthier and had better survival than those treated with OA vaporization. In conclusion, OA and/or brood interruption did not provide sufficient Varroa control.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Apiwarol applied by electric smoker for control of Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (02) ◽  
pp. 6199-2019
Author(s):  
JAKUB GĄBKA ◽  
WOJCIECH KOTLICKI ◽  
ZBIGNIEW KAMIŃSKI ◽  
BARBARA ZAJDEL
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Traditional Method ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Varroa Control

The use of electric smoker for the application of Apiwarol is a practical method for Varroa destructor control in honey bee colonies. However, according to some reports this method may decrease the efficacy of the drug. The aim of this study was to compare Varroa control in colonies treated by the electric smoker Wakont and in the traditional method. Twenty colonies were investigated. They were fumigated four times every four days. The electric smoker was used in ten colonies and in another ten colonies the tablets were smoked inside the beehives on the bottom board. Bottom traps were inserted in hives to collect and count dead Varroa. A day after the last fumigation treatment, a sugar roll test was applied to assess the number of mites left on bees. There were no statistically significant differences in the Varroa fall during the treatments and in the number of mites left on bees after the treatments between these two groups. We did not ascertain a decreasing of the effectiveness of Apiwarol after application by using the electric smoker.

Revisiting powdered sugar for varroa control on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Berry ◽  
Ohad Afik ◽  
Maxcy P Nolan ◽  
Keith S Delaplane
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Control

Summer brood interruption as integrated management strategy for effective Varroa control in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 764-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Büchler ◽  
Aleksandar Uzunov ◽  
Marin Kovačić ◽  
Janez Prešern ◽  
Marco Pietropaoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategy ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Varroa Control

Does Powdered Sugar Work as a Varroa Control?

Bee World ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 78-79
Author(s):  
Kamran Fakhimzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Varroa Control

scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of Beekeepers’ Perceptions and Farm Management Adaptations to the Impact of Climate Change on Honey Bees

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Monica Vercelli ◽  
Silvia Novelli ◽  
Paola Ferrazzi ◽  
Giada Lentini ◽  
Chiara Ferracini
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Sugar Feeding ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Strong Motivation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Varroa Control

(1) Background: Bees are the primary animal pollinators in most ecosystems, and honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are important providers of pollination ecosystem services and products. Climate change is one of the major threats for honey bees. (2) Objectives and methods: Qualitative research using focus group discussions was carried out in northwestern Italy, to investigate the beekeepers’ perceptions of climate change effects, the relevant management adaptations, and the main issues affecting the sector. (3) Results: Beekeepers reported several consequences related to severe weather events (weakening or loss of colonies; scarcity of nectar, pollen, and honeydew; decrease or lack of honey and other bee products; greater infestation by varroa; decline in pollination), making it necessary to provide supplemental sugar feeding, intensive transhumance, more effective and sustainable techniques for varroa control, and increased production of nuclei. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was completed, displaying the factors able to strengthen or weaken the resilience of the beekeeping sector to climate change. (4) Conclusions: Thanks to their strong motivation and collaborative attitude, beekeepers succeed in adopting farm and bee hive adaptation strategies that are able to limit the climatic adverse effects. However, these findings highlight how the institutional and financial support for the beekeeping sector should be strengthened and better targeted.

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 8564
Author(s):  
Maja Ivana Smodiš Škerl ◽  
Jorge Rivera-Gomis ◽  
Ivana Tlak Gajger ◽  
Jernej Bubnič ◽  
Gabriela Talakić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Control Task ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Varroa Control

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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