A Meta-Analysis Shows That Screen Bottom Boards Can Significantly Reduce Varroa destructor Population

Liu, Fang; XinJian, Xu; Zhang, Yuan; Zhao, Hongxia; Zhi, Huang

doi:10.3390/insects11090624

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 25 publications

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“…This investigation sought to elucidate the efficacy of evaporated essential oils in mitigating Varroa mite infestation levels within apian colonies. The screened bottom board technique was employed [69], incorporating a layer of petroleum jelly as a viscous trap beneath a modified bottom board precisely dimensioned to the specifications of the beehive. This innovative approach not only preserved the inherent behaviors of the bee populations but also maximized the efficiency of mite capture.…”

Section: Mite Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GC-MS Analysis and Evaluation of Essential Oils as Volatile Biopesticides: Assessing Their Acaricidal Potential against Varroa destructor

Raza,

Hyder,

Zhao

et al. 2024

Agriculture

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Honey bees are crucial for ecosystem pollination and honey production, yet the Varroa destructor mite hinders their productivity and health. Efforts to manage Varroa mites with synthetic pesticides have had limited success, highlighting the need for naturally derived acaricides as a primary option. However, the acaricidal efficacy of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. (sage), Cannabis sativa (hemp), and Laurus nobilis (laurel) remains to be fully understood. This study aims to investigate the acaricidal efficacy of these three essential oils at varying concentrations and their impact on honey production, focusing on the efficient reduction in Varroa mites. The sugar roll method was employed to assess Varroa mite infestation levels, while GC-MS analysis was utilized to verify the composition of the essential oils. Honey production measurements were also performed. The efficacy rates (%) at concentrations of 15%, 10%, and 5% for hemp oil were 95.4% ± 0.30%, 85.71% ± 0.85%, and 64.48% ± 0.26%, respectively; for sage oil, they were 81.08% ± 0.57%, 69.42% ± 1.72%, and 50.35% ± 0.70%; and for laurel oil, they were 68.96% ± 0.34%, 54.66% ± 0.37%, and 33.58% ± 0.30%, respectively. Key compounds identified include trans-caryophyllene, α-pinene, and viridiflorol in hemp oil; myrcene, limonene, and β-caryophyllene in sage oil; and phytol, β-myrcene, and n-heneicosane in laurel oil. The overall findings indicate that hemp oil is highly effective in controlling Varroa mites. However, further research is needed to evaluate its potential side effects on bees to ensure its sustainability and safety.

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Section: Mite Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GC-MS Analysis and Evaluation of Essential Oils as Volatile Biopesticides: Assessing Their Acaricidal Potential against Varroa destructor

Raza,

Hyder,

Zhao

et al. 2024

Agriculture

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Strategies and techniques to mitigate the negative impacts of pesticide exposure to honey bees

Zhang

Olsson

Hopkins

2023

Environmental Pollution

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Evaluation of three different bottom boards in honeybee hives for the control of Varroa destructor

Juri,

Nogueira,

Anzola

et al. 2024

Front. Bee Sci.

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IntroductionVarroa destructor stands as the primary global pest of honey bees, inflicting direct harm on bees while also acting as a vector for a multitude of viruses. Integrated pest management is widely recognized as the optimal strategy for minimizing acaricide application. Designed bottom boards that can limit the growth of the mite population by removing them from the hive and preventing their return and reinfestation of the colony show promising potential.MethodsThe aim of this study was to compare Varroa population growth by employing three different types of bottom boards. An apiary of 55 colonies was randomly divided into five groups according to the bottom board they had: 1) tubular bottom board, 2) screen bottom board, 3) sticky bottom board, 4) conventional bottom board with a permanent treatment with acaricide (positive control), and 5) conventional bottom board (negative control). Varroa infestation level in bees, colony strength (bee and brood population), and honey reserves were determined between April and December (between autumn and spring in the southern hemisphere).ResultsColonies that had sticky bottom boards had approximately 50% less Varroa infestation than colonies with conventional bottom boards at the end of the study. Varroa infestation levels did not differ significantly between the tubular, screen, and conventional bottom boards. Colony strength was similar in all groups. No differences were observed in honey production between colonies from different groups.DiscussionThe use of sticky bottom boards was the most promising board to limit Varroa population growth and prevent colonies' reinfestation. This result encourages future studies to analyze the incorporation of this strategy in integrated pest management programs.

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A Meta-Analysis Shows That Screen Bottom Boards Can Significantly Reduce Varroa destructor Population

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

GC-MS Analysis and Evaluation of Essential Oils as Volatile Biopesticides: Assessing Their Acaricidal Potential against Varroa destructor

GC-MS Analysis and Evaluation of Essential Oils as Volatile Biopesticides: Assessing Their Acaricidal Potential against Varroa destructor

Strategies and techniques to mitigate the negative impacts of pesticide exposure to honey bees

Evaluation of three different bottom boards in honeybee hives for the control of Varroa destructor

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