Apistan has a limited effect on tracheal mites, certainly not a high
     enough efficacy for control. Tau-fluvalinate has a very low vapour
     pressure, it works by contact action. For tracheal mite control you
     need something which can permeate the trachae of the bees, ie a gas or
     vapour. Apistan will not cut it, as it was not designed for that
     target.
 
     However, the new product which Vita is currently submitting for
     registration in Europe seems to be much more effective against
     acarine, as well as varroa - the main target. I'll keep you informed
     as we get more data.
 
 
     Max
 
 
     Vita (Europe) Limited
 
 
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Apistan and *Tracheal Mites*
Author:  [log in to unmask] at INTERNET1
Date:    8/14/97 6:28 AM
 
 
I've been wondering:  Apistan works on varroa when they are outside the
cell -- the so called phoretic state.  Fluvalinate is hard on varroa, but
has relatively little effect on the bees.
 
Here's the question:  Tracheal mites have to spend time outside the bee in
order to transfer to other (younger) bees. In such a state, are they
susceptible to some extent to Apistan (R), or are they -- like the
honeybee -- somewhat fluvalinate tolerant?
 
Allen