Integrated Pest Management for the parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) in colonies of honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Back to previous page
| Authors: | Rice, ND; Winston, ML; Higo, HA |
| Year: | 2004 |
| Journal: | American Bee Journal 144: 791-795 |
| Title: | Integrated Pest Management for the parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) in colonies of honey bees (Apis mellifera) |
| Abstract: | The parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) threatens honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations world-wide. V destructor are developing resistance to the primary acaricides fluvalinate and coumaphos currently used for control, and the need for alternative management methods is critical. Previous studies have shown that botanical oils, especially thymol, can be effective although variable management tools. Non-chemical control methods also have some effect on V destructor populations when used alone, but the efficacy of these methods when used in combination has not been examined. In this experiment, the single-chemical control systems of 1) Apistan in the spring and fall and 2) thymol-infused florist block in the spring and fall, were compared with a mixed IPM (MIPM) system of 3) thymol in the spring and fall, hygienic bees, and modified bottom boards, and two rotational IPM systems (RIPM) of 4) thymol in the spring and apistan in the fall or 5) Apistan in the spring and thymol in the fall. Adult bee population, brood area, mite population, honey production, and colony loss over the period of the experiment were measured to determine overall colony health and treatment impact. During the 24 months that the IPM experiment was conducted, there were no large differences in adult bee population, brood area and honey production between any of the treatments, although by the end of the experiment replicate numbers were too low to allow for statistical analysis. Colony loss was not significant between treatments. A cost analysis is provided to help beekeepers decide which components of an IPM program may best fit into their colony management schemes. |
Please send suggestions for improving this publication database to
sass-support@sfu.ca.
Departmental members may update their publication list.