The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is the most damaging pest to honey bees in most of the world. Development of resistance to traditional chemical acaricides and concerns about hive product contamination has prompted interest in non-chemical control tactics. We evaluated a combination of tactics: Varroa-resistant stock, open bottom boards which exclude fallen mites from bee colonies, and apiary isolation. In spring 2002, these tactics, in different combinations, were evaluated using newly established bee colonies. There were five replications of each combination: 1) resistant or non-resistant queen; 2) open bottom board or solid bottom board; and 3) isolated or non-isolated apiary. Mite abundance was estimated every three weeks using collections of fallen mites on bottom board sticky traps. Colony strength (adult bee and brood abundance and food stores) was determined every six weeks. By mid-September, there were greater than 40 times as many Varroa in non-isolated colonies with non-resistant queens over closed bottom boards than in isolated colonies with resistant queens and open bottom boards. Effects of treatment combinations on colony strength were not detected. In 2003, the same combination of tactics is being evaluated using established, overwintered bee colonies.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (honey bee)
Species 2: Acari Varroidae Varroa destructor
Keywords: resistance
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