Varroa destructor, an external parasite of the honey bee introduced into the United States in 1988, has been controlled by either fluvalinate, a pyrethroid, or coumaphos, an organophosphate. Resistance to fluvalinate began to be a serious problem by 1998 and is now widespread in the US. Mite resistance to coumphos, used since 1998, was detected in 2000 and is becoming increasingly common. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) may offer possible alternatives to synthetic pesticides for varroa control. Unlike the single tactic used in traditional chemical control, it is likely that multiple IPM tactics will be needed to control varroa. We tested the use of hygienic queen stock, screened bottom inserts, brood interruption and environmental factors to determine the efficacy of these tactics, either singly or in combination, on varroa control. Colony health, such as foulbrood and wax moth, were evaluated along with honey production and colony strength.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (European honey bee)
Species 2: Acari Varroidae Varroa destructor (Varroa mite)
Keywords: IPM
Back to Ten-Minute Papers, Subsection Cb. Apiculture and Social Insects (Termites and Honey Bees)
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