Diagnosis of Varroa Mite (Varroa destructor) and Sustainable Control in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies—A Review

Aleš Gregorc,Blair Sampson

doi:10.3390/d11120243

Abstract

Determining varroa mite infestation levels in honey bee colonies and the proper method and time to perform a diagnosis are important for efficient mite control. Performing a powdered sugar shake or counting mites that drop from combs and bees onto a hive bottom board are two reliable methods for sampling varroa mite to evaluate the efficacy of an acaricide treatment. This overview summarizes studies that examine the efficacy of organic acids and essential oils, mite monitoring, and brood interruption for integrated varroa mite control in organic beekeeping.

Highlights

Varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson and Truemann, are the single most devastating global pests of both adult and immature honey bees, Apis mellifera L
Simple field and laboratory diagnostic procedures are available for assessing overall varroa mite infestation within entire honey bee colonies
Beekeepers have been evaluating for decades the efficacy of an acaricide treatment by counting dead mites that drop from brood frames and bees onto the hive bottom board [10,11]

Summary

Introduction

Varroa destructor Anderson and Truemann, are the single most devastating global pests of both adult and immature honey bees, Apis mellifera L. Researchers and beekeepers employ various standardized or incidental methods to monitor varroa mites infesting adult honey bees and brood [8] These methods include counting mites on traps and on such colony contents as hive debris on the bottom boards, brood, as well as the bodies of captured worker bees. Beekeepers have been evaluating for decades the efficacy of an acaricide treatment by counting dead mites that drop from brood frames and bees onto the hive bottom board [10,11] The number of these fallen mites found within a hive’s debris correlates well with living mite populations infesting the colony above [12]. Accurate estimates of the number of varroa mites on adults using either the sugar shake method, water wash, or alcohol wash can be performed in colonies without brood for research or practical beekeeping purposes. Mite population size may be estimated by a combination of adult bee and brood samples and compared to the number of mites killed by chemical treatment [32]

Varroa Mite Control with Organic Substances

Integrated Varroa Mite Management

Conclusions