TEKTRAN
United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
Updated: 1998-12-18
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SOME VOLATILE PLANT OILS AS POTENTIAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR 'VARROA' MITES
(ACARI: VARROIDAE) IN HONEY BEE COLONIES (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE)
 
Author(s):
SAMMATARO DIANA
HOFFMAN GLORIA D
NEEDHAM G
WARDELL G
 
Interpretive Summary:
Essential; plant oils were tested for their ability to kill 'Varroa'
 mites, a parasite of honey bees. The most effective miticides were
origanum, clove, thymol mix, and bay oils. Tests of the oils in colonies
revealed that their effectiveness is not as long-lived as Apistan which
is the current treatment for 'Varroa'. Further study is needed to
determine formulations and release rates that will improve the
effectiveness of essential oils in honey bee colonies.
 
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A GEL FORMULATION OF FORMIC ACID FOR THE CONTROL OF PARASITIC MITES OF
HONEY BEES
 
Author(s):
FELDLAUFER MARK F
PETTIS JEFFERY S
KOCHANSKY JAN P
SHIMANUKI HACHIRO
 
Interpretive Summary:
Honey bee colonies in the United States and Europe are threatened by two
parasitic mites. In Europe, one of these mites shows resistance to the
only compound registered for use in the U. S. We have developed a gel
formulation of formic acid and a delivery system, which we refer to as
the Beltsville formic acid (BFA) gel packet, which is safer than liquid
formic acid, and requires fewer applications. It is effective in
controlling both parasitic mites of honey bees. BFA gel packets should
be of interest to commercial and hobbyist beekeepers, State Apiary
inspectors, individuals involved in extension, as well as growers that
depend upon honey bees for pollination.
 
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DEVELOPMENT OF A GEL FORMULATION OF FORMIC ACID FOR THE CONTROL OF
PARASITIC MITES OF HONEY BEES
 
Author(s):
KOCHANSKY JAN P
SHIMANUKI HACHIRO
 
Interpretive Summary:
The tracheal mite and the 'Varroa' mite are important pests of honey
bees in most countries of the world, and extensive resistance has been
observed to fluvalinate, the only compound registered in the U. S. for
control of 'varroa'. Formic acid is used in other countries, but is
hazardous to handle because of its corrosive properties, and no
companies in the U. S. have been interested in selling it because of
potential liability. We have developed a gel formulation which is easier
and safer to handle and can be dispensed in pre-filled packets for use
in bee hives. This formuilation has been licensed for commercial
production, and represents an opportunity for early registration of an
alternate material for control of this pest. This work has already
attracted considerable interest in the whole beekeeping industry.
 
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NATURAL SUPPRESSION OF HONEY BEE TRACHEAL 'MITES' IN NORTH DAKOTA: A
FIVE YEAR STUDY
 
Author(s):
ERICKSON JR ERIC H
KING ALAN
KING JOANNE
 
Interpretive Summary:
The honey bee tracheal mite is an internal parasite of honey bees that
infests the small tubes (tracheae) through which the bee breathes. This
mite has been responsible for killing large numbers of honey bee
colonies world wide. Whether or not some strains of honey bees may
resistant or tolerate infestations of these 'mites' has been hotly
debated. This study of eighty honey bee colonies clearly demonstrates
that low-level chronic infestations of tracheal 'mites' may persist in
certain honey bee colonies without affecting colony vigor or
productivity. The factors responsible for this mite resistance are yet
unknown.
 
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HYGIENIC BEHAVIOUR OF HONEY BEES AND ITS APPLICATION FOR CONTROL OF
BROOD DISEASES AND 'VARROA' MITES
 
Author(s):
SPIVAK M.
GILLIAM MARTHA A
 
Interpretive Summary:
This invitational review is a summary of research on hygienic behavior
of honey bees, a genetically determined trait that aids bee colonies in
coping with brood diseases and 'Varroa' mites. Nurse bees in hygienic
colonies remove diseased brood. Techniques to screen colonies for the
behavior are detailed. Areas needing more research are noted. It is
concluded that selection for hygienic behavior should be a routine
component of bee breeding to reduce dependence on chemical controls and
to decrease contamination of bee products from pesticides and
antibiotics.
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United States Department of Agriculture
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