Abstract

MARCANGELI, Jorge; PEREZ, Raúl; LEVERATTO, Domingo  and  GUARDIA LOPEZ, Ariel. Field assay of Colmesan® efficacy against the mite Varroa destructor (Varroidae) in honey bee colonies of Apis mellifera (Apidae). Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2004, vol.63, n.3-4, pp.29-33. ISSN 0373-5680.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the acaricide efficacy of Colmesan® to control Varroa destructor (Anderson & Trueman) in Apis mellifera (L.) colonies during the autumn 2003. Work was done at an experimental apiary located in La Plata city, province of Buenos Aires. Ten Langstroth hives were used divided in two equal groups. The first group received Colmesan® (amitraz, 2,05 g) in 2 doses at 10 days period. The second one represented the control group. Dead mites were collected weekly from special floors designed to avoid mite removal by adult honeybees. Then, 3 weekly doses of 5 ml of Oxavar® (64.6 g/l oxalic acid in destilled water) were placed in each colony to kill remanent mites and the acaricide efficacy was calculated. Colmesan® showed an average acaricide efficacy of 70.92% ± 11.93 (range = 57.92 -85.42), showing significant differences with the control group (p< 0.05). No negative effects on honeybee brood was recorded. Colmesan® showed a moderate and high variation in acaricide efficacy. These results suggest that at present, this product is not effective to control the parasite. This work represents the first experience of Colmesan® acaricide efficacy. Accordingly, other field trials would need to be carried out in order to confirm the results presented in this assay.

Keywords : Varroa destructor; Apis mellifera; Colmesan®; Amitraz.

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