A convenient method for detection of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) using roasted soybean flour

Abstract

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) is a pest that severely damages honey bee health worldwide. This mite is considered a major reason for winter colony loss of the western honey bee Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Monitoring of Varroa mites in honey bee colonies is required for effective management of Varroa infestations. The mite is dislodged from adult bees when the bees roll in powdered sugar. The sugar roll test is one of the major methods used to survey V. destructor infestations in honeybee colonies. However, powdered sugar agglomerates during commodity distribution to the customers or under humid conditions. In this study, roasted soybean flour was evaluated as a powder for Varroa mite detection, because this powder rarely forms a hard agglomerate. Roasted soybean flour may eliminate Varroa mites from adult bees as well as powdered sugar. Therefore, the roasted soybean flour can be a useful powder for convenient Varroa monitoring under humid conditions.