Abstract

MARCANGELI, Jorge Augusto et al. Efficacy of Oxavar® to control the mite Varroa destructor (Varroidae) in honeybee colonies of Apis mellifera (Apidae). Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2003, vol.62, n.3-4, pp.75-79. ISSN 0373-5680.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the acaricide efficacy of Oxavar® to control Varroa destructor (Anderson & Trueman) in Apis mellifera (L) colonies during the spring 2002 and the autumn 2003. Work was done at “Centro de Extensión Apícola” experimental apiary located in Coronel Vidal, province of Buenos Aires. Twenty Langstroth hives were used divided in two equal groups. The first group received 5 ml of Oxavar® (323 g in 5000 ml of destiled water) per comb covered by honeybees and the second one received 5 ml of destiled water. Both groups received three dosages at seven day periods. Dead mites were collected weekly from special floors in order to avoid mite removal by adult honeybees. Then, 2 Apistan® strips were placed in each colony to kill remnant mites and the acaricide efficacy was calculated. Oxavar® showed an average acaricide efficacy of 85.5 % ± 2.8 during the spring treatment and 86.1% ± 2.6 during the autumn treatment. No significant differences were registered between spring and autumn treatments (p> 0,05). In both cases significant differences were observed between treatment and control groups, (p< 0.05). No negative effect on honeybee brood was recorded. These results suggest that Oxavar® is effective to control the parasite.

Keywords : Varroa destructor; Apis mellifera; Oxavar®; Oxalic acid; Control.

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