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Showing papers on "Varroa sensitive hygiene published in 2009"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, single-use cages for honey bee experiments were proposed. But the cage design was not considered in this paper, and the cage was not tested in the experiments.
Abstract: (2009). Bee cups: single-use cages for honey bee experiments. Journal of Apicultural Research: Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 300-302.

96 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the presence of deformed wing virus (DWV) in infested brood and Tropilaelapsmercedesae mites collected in China, and to demonstrate a close quantitative association between mite-infested pupae of A. mellifera and DWV infections.
Abstract: Mites in the genus Tropilaelaps (Acari: Laelapidae) are ectoparasites of the brood of honey bees (Apis spp.). Different Tropilaelaps subspecies were originally described from Apis dorsata, but a host switch occurred to the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, for which infestations can rapidly lead to colony death. Tropilaelaps is hence considered more dangerous to A. mellifera than the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Honey bees are also infected by many different viruses, some of them associated with and vectored by V. destructor. In recent years, deformed wing virus (DWV) has become the most prevalent virus infection in honey bees associated with V. destructor. DWV is distributed world-wide, and found wherever the Varroa mite is found, although low levels of the virus can also be found in Varroa free colonies. The Varroa mite transmits viral particles when feeding on the haemolymph of pupae or adult bees. Both the Tropilaelaps mite and the Varroa mite feed on honey bee brood, but no observations of DWV in Tropilaelaps have so far been reported. In this study, quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to show the presence of DWV in infested brood and Tropilaelapsmercedesae mites collected in China, and to demonstrate a close quantitative association between mite-infested pupae of A. mellifera and DWV infections. Phylogenetic analysis of the DWV sequences recovered from matching pupae and mites revealed considerable DWV sequence heterogeneity and polymorphism. These polymorphisms appeared to be associated with the individual brood cell, rather than with a particular host.

91 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Oviposition of the mite or something associated with mite oviposition provides the stimulus for bees with the VSH trait to remove mite infested pupae.
Abstract: Summary Mite resistance that we had earlier called suppression of mite reproduction (SMR) is a form of hygienic behaviour that we have named Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH). With VSH, adult worker bees (Apis mellifera) disrupt the reproduction of parasitic mites (Varroa destructor) by removing mite infested bee pupae from their cells. This study determines which brood cells are targeted by bees with VSH and which are not, and describes the relationship between brood removal and the sudden prevalence of sterile mites. We produced 26 colonies with different levels of VSH by backcrossing 14 queens from a high line, H (100% expression of VSH), and 12 queens from a low line, L (no VSH), to drones produced by an HL (high × low) queen. Because each of the 26 queens was mated to one drone, the resulting colonies were expected to represent the complete range of variability (0 to 100% of the alleles for VSH). To estimate brood removal, we measured mite populations in capped worker brood that was 0 - 3 days postcapping and again 7 days later when the cohort was aged 7 - 10 days postcapping. We correlated removal of mite-infested brood with the relative presence (at 7 – 10 days postcapping) of three classes of foundress mites: (1) viable: those with at least one daughter that could mature before emergence of the host bee; (2) nonviable: those with progeny but with no daughters that could reach maturity; and (3) no eggs: those with dead or nonovipositing foundress mites. As the rate of removal increased, both classes 1 and 2 showed significant declines, whereas class 3 was unchanged. Therefore, oviposition of the mite or something associated with mite oviposition provides the stimulus for bees with the VSH trait to remove mite infested pupae.

84 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
02 Apr 2009

51 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Varroa Sensitive Hygiene is a trait of honey bees, Apis mellifera, that supports resistance to Varroa destructor mites and simpler and shorter-term measures of uncapping, recapping, and reductions in infestation and mite fertility may facilitate selection of VSH by more bee breeders.
Abstract: SummaryVarroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) is a trait of honey bees, Apis mellifera, that supports resistance to Varroa destructor mites. Components of VSH were evaluated to identify simple methods for selection of the trait. Mite population growth was measured in colonies with variable levels of VSH in two field trials using 24 and 16 colonies. Mite population growth was significantly lower in VSH and hybrid colonies than in control (i.e., unselected) colonies. In resident brood with mite infestations below 5%, the percentage of uncapped pupal cells did not differ significantly among VSH, hybrid and control colonies, but the percentage of recapped cells was highest in VSH colonies (P = 0.03). When brood from more highly infested colonies (9–49% of pupae infested) was introduced for forty hours, VSH colonies reduced infestation more than control colonies (P< 0.01) but final mite fertility was similar (P= 0.12). When infested brood was exposed in colonies for one week, VSH colonies reduced both mite fertility (...

41 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This model suggests that colonies of tracheal-mite infested honey bees, with no other pathogens present, can die out in the late winter/early spring period due to their inability to thermoregulate.
Abstract: The tracheal mite has been associated with colony deaths worldwide since the mite was first discovered in 1919. Yet controversy about its role in honey bee colony mortality has existed since that time. Other pathogens such as bacteria and viruses have been suggested as the cause of colony deaths as well as degenerative changes in individual honey bees. Using data from published work we developed a qualitative mortality model to explain colony mortality due to tracheal mite infestation in the field. Our model suggests that colonies of tracheal-mite infested honey bees, with no other pathogens present, can die out in the late winter/early spring period due to their inability to thermoregulate. An accumulation of factors conspire to cause colony death including reduced brood/bee population, loose winter clusters, reduced flight muscle function and increasing mite infestation. In essence a cascade effect results in the colony losing its cohesion and leading to its ultimate collapse.

34 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Drones-brood trapping can be used as an element of an integrated control strategy to control varroa mites, eliminating a large portion of the Varroa population with limited chemical treatments while retaining the benefits of maintaining adult drones in the population.
Abstract: The parasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) has plagued European honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in the Americas since its introduction in the 1980s. For many years, these mites were sufficiently controlled using synthetic acaricides. Recently, however, beekeepers have experienced increased resistance by mites to chemical pesticides, which are also known to leave residues in hive products such as wax and honey. Thus there has been increased emphasis on nonchemical integrated pest management control tactics for Varroa. Because mites preferentially reproduce in drone brood (pupal males), we developed a treatment strategy focusing on salvaging parasitized drones while removing mites from them. We removed drone brood from colonies in which there was no acaricidal application and banked them in separate "drone-brood receiving" colonies treated with pesticides to kill mites emerging with drones. We tested 20 colonies divided into three groups: 1) negative control (no mite treatment), 2) positive control (treatment with acaricides), and 3) drone-brood removal and placement into drone-brood receiving colonies. We found that drone-brood trapping significantly lowered mite numbers during the early months of the season, eliminating the need for additional control measures in the spring. However, mite levels in the drone-brood removal group increased later in the summer, suggesting that this benefit does not persist throughout the entire season. Our results suggest that this method of drone-brood trapping can be used as an element of an integrated control strategy to control varroa mites, eliminating a large portion of the Varroa population with limited chemical treatments while retaining the benefits of maintaining adult drones in the population.

27 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Indoor winter fumigation of honey bee colonies with formic acid was effective in killing a high percentage of Honey bee mites but did not significantly reduce the proportion of bees with infested tracheae over the duration of the experiments, and the method used to determine the efficacy of the treatment affected the results.
Abstract: Indoor fumigation of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., with formic acid to control varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, allows simultaneous fumigation of multiple colonies with little labor input and good efficacy. Several experiments were designed to test the efficacy of formic acid as a treatment for honey bee mites, Acarapis woodi (Rennie) (Acari: Tarsonemidae), and nosema disease, Nosema sp., indoors in winter. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the efficacy of formic acid fumigation for honey bee mite control by using both the thoracic slice and live dissection methods and 2) to determine whether indoor fumigation can reliably prevent the buildup of nosema disease in overwintering honey bee colonies. Indoor winter fumigation of honey bee colonies with formic acid was effective in killing a high percentage of honey bee mites but did not significantly reduce the proportion of bees with infested tracheae over the duration of the experiments. Thus, the method used to determine the efficacy of the treatment affected the results. Under conditions of relatively low or decreasing levels of nosema, fumigation tended to suppress the mean abundance of nosema spores relative to the controls. In three separate fumigation experiments using a range of formic acid concentrations, there was no statistical difference between the buildup or maintenance of nosema spore mean abundance over the winter in bees from formic acid fumigated colonies compared with untreated controls. However, fumigation with formic acid during winter at a low concentration for extended periods significantly suppressed spore buildup of mixed populations of nosema (Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae) in 1 yr.

26 citations


01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: Defence behaviour (sting test), hygienic behaviour (needle test) and syrup foraging rate were studied in honey bee colonies artificially made up of defensive and gentle bees and were compared with homogenous colonies made up only of either defensive or gentle bees.
Abstract: Defence behaviour (sting test), hygienic behaviour (needle test) and syrup foraging rate were studied in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies artificially made up of defensive and gentle bees (1:1), and were compared with homogenous colonies made up only of either defensive or gentle bees. The defensive bees turned out to be high-hygienic whereas the gentle bees were low-hygienic. The mixed colonies were defensive in terms of time to the first sting, but gentle or intermediate in terms of the number of stings. Colonies of mixed high-hygienic (defensive) and low-hygienic (gentle) bees were found to be intermediate or high-hygienic when they were monitored after a period of 12 or 24 h, respectively. Foraging rate was also markedly differentiated in homogenous colonies. The colonies with a mixture of good and poor foragers exhibited a poor foraging rate. Repeatability of the monitored traits was higher in the 100% defensive/high-hygienic colonies (higher genetic effect) than in 100% gentle/low-hygienic colonies. Efficient workers performed tasks by themselves and did not solicit help from non-efficient workers. Results of combining of different bee types occurred different. Interworker interactions were mostly non-additive for foraging and defensive behaviour, but additive for hygienic behaviour.

21 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was found that dusting colonies with powdered sugar did not significantly affect the adult bee population, and the efficacy of powdered sugar as a varroa control was determined by comparing mite populations, adult bee populations, and brood area in untreated colonies with those in colonies dusted every two weeks for 11 months with 120 g powdered sugar per application.
Abstract: SummaryControlling varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) populations in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies with acaricides has been a challenge for beekeepers due to the rapid development of resistant mite populations. For this reason, many beekeepers are adopting Integrated Pest Management strategies as alternatives to chemocentric varroa control schemes. One non-chemical tool that has been used for varroa control is dusting bee colonies with powdered sugar. The objective of our study was to determine the efficacy of powdered sugar as a varroa control by comparing mite populations, adult bee populations, and brood area in untreated colonies with those in colonies dusted every two weeks for 11 months with 120 g powdered sugar per application. We found that dusting colonies with powdered sugar did not significantly affect the adult bee population (treated: 10061.72 ± 629.42; control: 10691.00 ± 554.44) or amount of brood (treated: 4521.91 ± 342.84 cm2; control: 4472.55 ± 365.85 cm2). We ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is believed that a honey bee dietary deficiency of pyrethrums and other micro-nutrients from pyrethrum producing plants allows parasitic mites to either kill the honey bees directly or reduce honey bee resistance to other pathogens.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was found that the use of small cell foundation did not significantly affect cm2 total brood, total mites per colony, mitesper brood cell, or mite per adult bee, but did affect adult bee population for two sampling months.
Abstract: Due to a continuing shift toward reducing/minimizing the use of chemicals in honey bee colonies, we explored the possibility of using small cell foundation as a varroa control. Based on the number of anecdotal reports supporting small cell as an efficacious varroa control tool, we hypothesized that bee colonies housed on combs constructed on small cell foundation would have lower varroa populations and higher adult bee populations and more cm2 brood. To summarize our results, we found that the use of small cell foundation did not significantly affect cm2 total brood, total mites per colony, mites per brood cell, or mites per adult bee, but did affect adult bee population for two sampling months. Varroa levels were similar in all colonies throughout the study. We found no evidence that small cell foundation was beneficial with regard to varroa control under the tested conditions in Florida.


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: Investigation for pathogens of the pests in their native range, as has been done in the introduction of biological control agents to field crop pests, and pests that have part of their life cycle outside the hive, such as small hive beetles, may be more amenable to biological control.
Abstract: Honey bees are critical to world agriculture because of their role in crop pollination. Unfortunately, the sustainability of this bee is threatened by an increasing number of invasive pests, particularly the tracheal mite, varroa mite, and small hive beetle. Integrated pest management has not been well utilized by beekeepers, partly due to a lack of biological control agents. Microbial control strategies have been investigated for varroa mites using fungal pathogens, but have produced variable results. Difficulties have arisen because bees maintain hives at temperatures that are detrimental to the fungi, and the immature stages of the mites can avoid the fungi. It is also difficult to mass produce highly virulent and persistent fungal spores, and products are not available for use. One option to investigate further is the search for pathogens of the pests in their native range, as has been done in the introduction of biological control agents to field crop pests. Also, pests that have part of their life cycle outside the hive, such as small hive beetles, may be more amenable to biological control.


Journal Article
TL;DR: Treatment with the extract of methylene chloride of sycamore leaves caused the highest number of dead varroa fallen on the sheet in comparison with the other tested extracts and control.
Abstract: The effect of sycamore leaves (Ficus Sycamorus) against varroa mites in honey bee colonies was studied. The percentage of infestation by varroa mites on worker brood, adult workers and number of dead varroa fallen on the sheet were determined in the tested colonies. The percentage of varroa infestation on the worker brood and adult worker reduced to 94.8 and96.18% after the fourth week of exposed to the smoke of ten grams of sycamore leaves and reduced to 96.38 and 98.09% after fourth weeks of treatment with oxalic acid. Treatment with the extract of methylene chloride of sycamore leaves caused the highest number of dead varroa fallen on the sheet in comparison with the other tested extracts and control. Sycamore leaves constituents were identified by GC/MS and these components arrived to 30 compounds.


Journal Article
TL;DR: There were significant differences between the means of population of foraging worker bees and honey produced and Honey produced and there was no significant correlation between the weights of combs produced and foragers population.
Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the effect on honey production and population growth of foraging worker bees when the non-foraging and foraging worker bees Apis mellifera adansoni L were fed with banana paste and when foraging bees were converted to nonforagers by inducing undertaker and nursing care behaviour in apiaries set up in the Teaching and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife from December 2006 to February, 2008. Four apiaries were set up and three 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 colonized hives were selected from each apiary and labelled A ,A , A , B ,B , B ,C , C and C and D , 2 3 1 2 3 D and D constituted as control hives. Bee colonies in hives A ,A and A were fed with banana 1 2 3 paste, nursing care function was induced in hives B ,B and B and undertaker duty was induced in hives 1 2 3 C ,C and C . The census of the foraging worker bees in all hives were carried out at intervals of 70 1 2 3 ±5 days using the Capture-mark and recapture method (Lincoln’s index). In colonies A ,A and A , the 1 2 3 mean foragers population was 9,324 ± 256 and the honey yield was 16.24 ± 0.54 kg, in B ,B and B 1 2 the mean foragers population was 6,714 ± 256 and honey yield was 6.03 ± 0.29 kg while in C , C and 3, C the foragers population was 5,466 ± 256 and the honey yield was 7.02 ± 0.29 kg. In the control hives the mean population of foraging workers was 8,670 ± 256 and honey yield was 13.13 ± 0.14 kg. There were significant differences between the means of population of foraging worker bees (F =1028.50, df = 11, P < 0.005) and honey produced (F = 238.82, df = 11, P < 0.005). There is no significant correlation between the weights of combs produced and foragers population.



Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the efficiency of camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol and formic acid (60 %) as control agents against Varroa mite infesting honeybee colonies was evaluated.
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out in the apiary of Beekeeping Research Department, Plant Protection Research Institute at Zagazig, Sharkia Governorate during 2007 season, to evaluate the efficiency of camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol and formic acid (60 %) as control agents against Varroa mite infesting honeybee colonies. Data obtained could be summarized as follows: 1Mite infestation was reduced by 69.01, 48.92, 75.95 and 90.12 % when the colonies were treated with camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol crystals and formic acid, respectively. 2The infested workers suffered 21.87 % reduction in body weight while treating infested colonies with camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol crystals and formic acid decreased the reduction in body weight to 11.84, 13.87, 5.91 and 2.63 %, respectively. 3-Varroa infested colonies showed severe reduction (47.96 %) in the sealed brood area reared as compared to that of healthy ones. Treating infested colonies with the test control agents decreased the reduction taken place in sealed brood area, as it attained 20.85, 29.58, 15.69 and 13.11 % for the treated colonies with test agents, respectively. 4The mean annual honey yield (citrus and clover) of healthy, Varroa infested (non treated) colonies and those treated with camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol crystals and formic acid recorded 8.06, 3.01, 5.77, 4.94, 6.53 and 7.15 kg/colony, respectively. The respective percentages of reduction in honey yield were 62.66, 28.41, 38.71, 18.98 and 11.29 %.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The conventional technique of analyzing mite reproduction in 17–18 day old worker brood cells considerably overestimates the actual reproductive rate of Varroa destructor.
Abstract: SummaryThe effective reproductive capacity of Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies is currently calculated on the basis of the number of female deutonymphs found in singly infested worker brood cells at 17–18 days (two to three days before the bee emerges). This calculation presumes that the deutonymphs will reach the adult stage by the time that the adult bee ecloses. Some deutonymphs may not, however, reach the adult phase and there also could be mortality. In order to examine this possibility, we studied mite reproduction in worker brood of Africanized honey bee colonies at 17–18 days and then selected eight colonies in which over 90% of the infested brood cells contained a single original female mite. The mean proportion of singly infested worker brood cells in these colonies was 96.3%. Consequently, by subtracting one from the total number of adult female mites found at the time the bee emerged we would be able to estimate the effective reproductive capacity of the original mites, with little erro...

01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: surveillance is conducted for the following exotic honey bee diseases, pests and undesirable genetic strains (henceforth collectively called bee disease/s):
Abstract: • hive inspection and sampling; • maintaining records of beekeepers, apiaries, hives and bee diseases in an apiary database; • beekeeper extension and education; • screening of exotic bee disease enquiries; • reporting on activities and findings. Surveillance is conducted for the following exotic honey bee diseases, pests and undesirable genetic strains (henceforth collectively called bee disease/s):

14 Jul 2009
TL;DR: Drones-brood trapping can be utilized as an element of an integrated control strategy to control varroa mites and may serve to eliminate a large portion of the Varroa population with limited chemical treatments, while simultaneously retaining any benefits of having adult drones in the colony.
Abstract: WANTUCH, HOLLY ANNE. Modified Drone-Brood Removal to Control Varroa destructor in Apis mellifera Colonies. (Under the direction of Dr. David R. Tarpy). The parasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) has plagued European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in the Americas since its introduction to the United States in the 1980s. For many years, these mites were sufficiently controlled using synthetic acaricides. Recently, however, beekeepers have experienced increased resistance by mites to chemical pesticides, which are also known to leave residues in hive products such as wax and honey. Thus, there has been increased emphasis on non-chemical IPM control tactics for Varroa. Because mites preferentially reproduce in drone brood (pupal male bees), we developed a treatment strategy focusing on salvaging parasitized drones and removing mites from them. In our initial study, we tested 10 colonies of honey bees in each of four treatment groups: 1) negative control (no treatment); 2) positive control (treatment with fluvalinate); 3) periodic drone-brood removal and freezing; and 4) periodic drone-brood removal and return of adult drones to colony after physically removing any mites. We found that there were no significant differences measured between the mean mite levels of the treatment groups (P> 0.05). However, there were numeric trends indicating that both drone-brood removal groups were intermediate in mite levels compared to the negative and positive controls. In a subsequent study, we removed drone brood from colonies in which there is no acaricidal application and banking it in separate “sacrificial” colonies treated with pesticides to kill mites emerging with drones. We tested 20 colonies divided into three treatment groups: 1) negative control (no mite treatment); 2) positive control (treatment with fluvalinate and thymol); and 3) drone-brood trapping. Two colonies were selected from the drone-brood trapping group to serve as sacrificial colonies. We found that drone-brood trapping significantly lowered mite numbers during the early months of the season, eliminating the need for additional control measures in the spring. However, mite levels in the drone-brood removal group increased later in the summer, suggesting that this benefit does not persist throughout the entire season. We recommend that drone-brood trapping can be utilized as an element of an integrated control strategy to control varroa mites. If implemented successfully, this method of drone-brood removal and rescuing may serve to eliminate a large portion of the Varroa population with limited chemical treatments, while simultaneously retaining any benefits of having adult drones in the colony. Modified Drone-Brood Removal to Control Varroa destructor in Apis mellifera Colonies by Holly Anne Wantuch A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: The female mite nymphs of Varroa destructor Anderson and Truman were collected from sealed worker and drone brood cells and prepared for the scanning electron microscopic examination to identify type and structure of the setae receptors present on the leg I.
Abstract: The female mite nymphs of Varroa destructor Anderson and Truman were collected from sealed worker and drone brood cells and prepared for the scanning electron microscopic examination to identify type and structure of the setae receptors present on the leg I. Eighteen setae types were recorded and described. Thought they can perceive bee associated volatiles by means of receptors in wall-pore sensory hairs of the tarsal pit organ and legs.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Infested colonies had weak workers and drones and exhibited reduced honey gathering and pollination activities, and mite infestation had a pronounced influence on the body weight of developing worker and drone brood and emerging adults.
Abstract: The studies were conducted during 2006-07 and 2007-08 on the bioecology and management of honeybee ( Apis mellifera L.) mites with special reference to Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman infesting honeybee colonies. The studies revealed that mite infestation had a pronounced influence on the body weight of developing worker and drone brood and emerging adults. In case of drones infested with 1-3 mites (slightly infested), the body weight loss ranged from 8.58 to 11.92 % which averaged 10.33 %. However, in case of drone adults infested with 3-5 mites (moderately infested), the body weight loss ranged from 17.09 to 19.33 %, which averaged to 18.26 %. Similarly, in case of worker adult bees, the percent weight loss ranged between 9.45 to 12.43 % and the average weight loss was 11.09 %. In case of worker adults infested with 3-5 mites, the loss ranged between 14.96 to 19.71 % and the average weight loss was 17.53 %. Similar reductions were found in pupae of drones and workers infested with Varroa mite. Evidently, infested colonies had weak workers and drones and exhibited reduced honey gathering and pollination activities.

01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: The results indicated clear differences between the tested races and hybrids of bees (Aggressive and nonaggressive) in grooming and cleaning behaviors against Varroa mites.
Abstract: The aggressive and natural defense behaviors (grooming and cleaning behaviors) of honey bee Apis mellifera L. for controlling Varroa mites were investigated in autumn and winter seasons. The results indicated clear differences between the tested races and hybrids of bees (Aggressive and nonaggressive) in grooming and cleaning behaviors against Varroa mites. The results also revealed clear relationship between the natural and aggressive defense behaviors and types of the sensilla organs in the tested antennae.