The effect of different concentrations of oxalic acid in aqueous and sucrose solution onVarroamites and honey bees

Abstract

The toxicity of various concentrations of oxalic acid dihydrate (OA) in aqueous and sucrose solution to Varroa destructor and to honey bees (Apis mellifera ) was assessed using submersion tests of caged bees and by spraying bees in colonies with and without brood. An aqueous solution of 0.5% OA gave effective control of the mite and was non-toxic to bees whereas higher concentrations of OA (1.0–2.0%) were highly toxic to bees. Submersion tests into solutions with 0.1% OA were acaricidal both in aqueous (59.9 ± 3.7 %) and in 50% sucrose solution (71.1 ± 4.2%) whereas concentrations of 0.2–0.5% OA were highly effective; OA in sucrose solution was more toxic to bees than OA in the aqueous solution. Spraying with 0.5% OA solution at a dose of 25 mL per comb in May 2003 and in April 2004 was 99.01–99.42% effective in mite control in Estonian standard one box long beehives with 22 frames (each 414 × 277 mm, area 1000 cm2 per comb side). Most mites fell after the first spraying. In autumn, spraying test colonies that had little capped brood once or twice with a 0.5% OA solution gave effective mite control (92.94 ± 0.01% and 91.84 ± 0.02%, respectively) with no noticeable toxicity to bees.