Varroosis is a disease of bees and their brood caused by Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite (acarine). This parasite is present throughout the year in bee colonies feeding on hemolymph from adult bees, larvae and pupae. Varroosis is also present in the beekeeping of Montenegro. Measures to prevent varroosis include beekeeping on favorable terrains, early detection of diseases, control of newly procured colonies, application of the principles of good beekeeping practice, control of treatment efficiency etc. Diagnostic examination for varroosis is carried out once a year - until the end of March in all bee colonies. For mite control, only registered products should be used. In Montenegro, natural preparations are registered - Apiguard (based on thymol) and Api Life Var (based on thymol, eucalyptus oil, camphor and L-menthol). Varroa quickly becomes resistant to synthetic chemical preparations based on compounds, such as amitraz, coumaphos, synthetic pyrethroids - fluvalinate and flumethrin. In addition to gaining resistance, there is a great danger of depositing residues in bee products. Such bee products are a source of contamination for humans through the consumption of bee products (honey, royal jelly, propolis, etc.) and bee wax is a source of contamination through cosmetic products that contain it. Therefore, these synthetic preparations should not be used for the treatment of bee colonies against varroa.

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Measures to protect bee health against varroosis in Montenegro

Background . The aim of our current study was to investigate the possible occurence of pyrethroid (tau−fluvalinate) resistant Varroa mites infestations in 24 randomly chosen apiaries of Warmia−Mazury province of north−east Poland. Methods . The methodology used for the analysis of resistant Varroa strains strictly followed the pro - tocol described by Milani (6, 14). Results . We identified 3 apiaries that were infested with high risk pyrethroid resis - tance mites and a further 9 apiaries that were free from this resitance. The brood samples collected from the remaining apiaries did not contain sufficient numbers of parasites to enable us to properly perform the assay. Conclusions . Our finding that 25% of the tested brood samples showed a high risk of fully pyrethroid resistant Varroa mite contamina - tion indicates that resistant Varroa may become wide spread in apiaries in Poland. Interestingly these high risk resistant mites were found in honeybee colonies with low levels of Varroa infestation, with an average rate of 2.16%. We also discuss the role of amitraz (amidine) in the phenomenon of Varroa resistance to pyrethroids.

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Jarosław Szubstarski

Papers

Detection of the high risk pyrethroid resistant Varroa destructor mites in apiaries of the Warmia-Mazury province in Poland.