A previous article by the lead author reports that:

Varroa destructor is not a big problem in Brazil, particularly in tropical regions. Moretto et al. (1991) suggested that climate type (warm temperatures and no winters) and hybridization (behavioral defense against Varroa ) have a positive effect on mite reduction and mean infestation rates were 5%. ....  we concluded that there was no evidence that Varroa destructor infestation had increased nationwide.

The highest rate of average colony loss in Brazil was in the South region (67.6%), followed by the Southeast region (63.5%). Of 322 validated reports, 81.2% reported pesticides as the suspected cause of bee losses ... 2.9% failures in management, 2.6% Varroa destructor, 2.3% municipal services combating mosquitos transmitting dengue (fogging), and 11% unable to specify a cause.

Castilhos, D., Bergamo, G. C., Gramacho, K. P., & Gonçalves, L. S. (2019). Bee colony losses in Brazil: a 5-year online survey. Apidologie, 50, 263-272.

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