Comparative Performance of Two Mite-Resistant Stocks of Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Alabama Beekeeping Operations

Abstract

The utility of USDA-developed Russian and varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), was compared with that of locally produced, commercial Italian bees during 2004-2006 in beekeeping operations in Alabama, USA. Infestations of varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson & Truman (Acari: Varroidae), were measured twice each year, and colonies that reached established economic treatment thresholds (one mite per 100 adult bees in late winter; 5-10 mites per 100 adult bees in late summer) were treated with acaricides. Infestations of tracheal mites, Acarapis woodi (Rennie) (Acari: Tarsonemidae), were measured autumn and compared with a treatment threshold of 20% mite prevalence. Honey production was measured in 2005 and 2006 for colonies that retained original test queens. Throughout the three seasons of measurement, resistant stocks required less treatment against parasitic mites than the Italian stock. The total percentages of colonies needing treatment against varroa mites were 12% of VSH, 24% of Russian, and 40% of Italian. The total percentages requiring treatment against tracheal mites were 1% of Russian, 8% of VSH and 12% of Italian. The average honey yield of Russian and VSH colonies was comparable with that of Italian colonies each year. Beekeepers did not report any significant behavioral problems with the resistant stocks. These stocks thus have good potential for use in nonmigratory beekeeping operations in the southeastern United States.

Biology and control of Varroa destructor

“…Various reports during the past 5 years confirmed at least a partial tolerance of these breeding lines, expressed by a significantly lower increase of the Varroa population compared to the local A. m. ligustica bees (Tarpy et al, 2007a;Ward et al, 2008). Additionally, a resistance of the ''Russian bees" towards tracheal mite infestation was reported (Villa and Rinderer, 2008).…”

Expression of Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) in Commercial VSH Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

“…Mite populations in hybrid colonies (VSH queens mated to commercial drones) remained low during tests lasting a few months (Harbo and Harris 2001). Similarly, low proportions of VSH outcrossed colonies reached economic treatment thresholds during critical periods of the annual cycle in stationary honey production apiaries (Ward et al 2008) and under commercial migratory pollination management (unpublished data).…”

“…VSH improves the beesÕ ability to detect and remove brood infested with V. destructor (Harbo and Harris 2005). The trait confers economically useful levels of resistance to colonies by suppressing mite population growth (Harbo and Hoopingarner 1997) and diminishing the need for acaricide treatments (Delaplane et al 2005, Ibrahim et al 2007, Ward et al 2008.…”

An Evaluation of the Associations of Parameters Related to the Fall of <I>Varroa destructor</I> (Acari: Varroidae) From Commercial Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies as Tools for Selective Breeding for Mite Resistance

“…Selecting for reduced MPG requires detailed and time-consuming evaluations of the amount of brood and bees in colonies and estimates of the number of mites infesting both brood and bees. The commercial functionality of RHB stock has been well documented (Rinderer et al 2001a,b;de Guzman et al 2007;Ward et al 2008;Danka et al 2012), and the stock has been released to the beekeeping industry where it is being maintained, improved, and distributed by the Russian Bee Breeders Association (Brachmann 2009). Honey bees that are able to detect and remove brood infested with Varroa have been developed with selective breeding.…”

“…Selecting for this trait, called "Varroa sensitive hygiene", requires tedious microscopic examination of sealed brood. However, the functionality of Varroa sensitive hygiene has been well documented (Ward et al 2008, Danka et al 2012, and breeding material has been delivered to the beekeeping industry and is now widely used (Danka et al 2013). …”