Clinical trial of the efficiency of three different compositions of acaricidal substances against varoosis in honey bee colonies

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the varroacidal efficacy and mite mortality dynamic during autumn treatment of honey bee colonies in two experimental areas (Boychinovtsi-Northwestern Bulgaria and Zlatiya-Northeastern Bulgaria), treated with three available veterinary medicinal substances. The clinical studies were conducted on the efficiency of the three acaricidal combinations (AC) - one, based on 3.6 mg flumethrin/strip (AC-1) and two contents of essential oils (first one with composition: 5 g thymol plus 2 g peppermint oil/lamellae (AC-2), and the second one with composition: 4 g thymol plus 2 g peppermint oil/ lamellae (AC-3), in the autumn of 2017. We used the product containing coumaphos and an additive with oxalic acid for the control treatment. Methods for establishing the levels of Varroa destructor infestation in bees and in brood were used according to OIE Terrestrial Manual. After 35 days of AC-1 exposure, 94.5% and 87.82% efficiency were achieved in the apiaries in Boychinovtsi and Zlatiya, respectively. Efficiencies of the combinations tested (AC-2 and AC-3) for 45 days were detected high only in the Zlatiya apiary (97% and 95%), also 91% and 80% in the Boychinovtsi apiary, respectively. The results of the experiments showed the absence of resistance to the tested substances.

Keywords

• Apis mellifera
• resistance
• Varroa destructor mite
• varroacidal efficiency

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