Die Milbe Varroa jacobsoni Oudem., ein neuer Bienenparasit

The mite Varroa jacobsoni Oudem., a new parasite of the honey bee A view is given of the state of knowledge of the miteVarroa jacobsoni which was introduced from Eastern Asia to East and Middle Europe in younger time as an ecto-parasite of the honey bee,Apis mellifica. Especially new scientific findings given at theVarroa-Symposium in Vienna, 1977, are reported. This symposium was arranged by the Bundeslehr-und Versuchsanstalt für Bienenkunde, Lunz am See, and visited by 20 veterinarian and apidologists of 7 countries. The base lines of development and bionomy of the mite are given.V. jacobsoni lays the eggs on the bee larvae. The descendants leave the cells together with the young bees. Without bees the mites lived 5–9 days only. From a number of 10–20 mites the development of the bee larva is disturbed. In East EuropeV. jacobsoni caused high losses of bee swarms in last years. The ways of diagnosis and control are discussed. To day the bee-keeper can use a number of more or less effective preparations against the pest.

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Bundeslehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Bienenkunde A-3293 Lunz am See.     

Resistance to amitraz in the parasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor is associated with mutations in the β-adrenergic-like octopamine receptor

Varroa destructor is considered a major reason for high loss rate of Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. To prevent colony losses caused by V. destructor, it is necessary to actively manage the mite population. Beekeepers, particularly commercial beekeepers, have few alternative treatments other than synthetic acaricides to control the parasite, resulting in intensive treatment regimens that led to the evolution of resistance in mite populations. To investigate the mechanism of the resistance to amitraz detected in V. destructor mites from French and U.S. apiaries, we identified and characterized octopamine and tyramine receptors (the known targets of amitraz) in this species. The comparison of sequences obtained from mites collected from different apiaries with different treatment regimens, showed that the amino acid substitutions N87S or Y215H in the OctβR were associated with treatment failures reported in French or U.S. apiaries, respectively. Based on our findings, we have developed and tested two high throughput diagnostic assays based on TaqMan technology able to accurately detect mites carrying the mutations in this receptor. This valuable information may be of help for beekeepers when selecting the most suitable acaricide to manage V. destructor.

     

New PCR–RFLP diagnostics methodology for detecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Varroa destructor</Emphasis> resistant to synthetic pyrethroids

A significant share of the current seasonal losses of honey bee colonies can be attributed to the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Its direct feeding behaviour and virus vectoring decimate the colony until collapse if there is no effective control management in place. The synthetic pyrethroids such as tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin were intensively used to control the mite until multiple cases of resistance were reported since the early 1990s. Previous studies have shown that there are three different mutations at amino acid position 925 (L925V, I and M) of the V. destructor voltage-gated sodium channel associated with the resistance to these compounds. Here, we report the development of a new PCR–RFLP methodology to discriminate between susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant Varroa destructor mites. This is a DNA-based assay that proved to be as accurate and robust as the previously reported TaqMan^®-based high-throughput genotyping assays but significantly cheaper and more accessible to low-resourced laboratories. It is also easier to identify resistant mites using the new assay. The beekeeping community will surely welcome this new technology since there are very few effective acaricides to deal with the mite. They are aware that pyrethroids can be very effective in absence of resistance so having the possibility to use them as alternative to other compounds as part of an integrated management strategy would be of great help for long-term controlling of the parasite.     

Effects of organic acid treatments on small hive beetles, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aethina tumida</Emphasis>, and the associated yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kodamaea ohmeri</Emphasis>

In honeybee, Apis mellifera, colonies infested with larval and adult small hive beetles (SHB), hive material, and in particular honey, tends to ferment, probably due to SHB-associated yeasts such as the predominant Kodamaea ohmeri. Here, we test the effects of organic acids on K. ohmeri and on SHB-infested honey/pollen combs. Organic acids were applied at standard concentrations used by beekeepers to control other pests. In laboratory tests, the growth of K. ohmeri was significantly inhibited by lactic, formic and acetic acids. Treatments of SHB-infested honey/pollen combs (N = 18 colonies) with acetic acid significantly increased mortality of adult SHB and treatments with formic acid significantly reduced larval infestation. Our data suggest that treatment of honeybee colonies and storage rooms with organic acids could also help in reducing SHB damage.     

Population genetics and host specificity of Varroa destructor mites infesting eastern and western honeybees

In a globalized world, parasites are often brought in contact with new potential hosts. When parasites successfully shift host, severe diseases can emerge at a large cost to society. However, the evolutionary processes leading to successful shifts are rarely understood, hindering risk assessment, prevention, or mitigation of their effects. Here, we screened populations of Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite of the honeybee genus Apis, to investigate their genetic structure and reproductive potential on new and original hosts. From the patterns identified, we deduce the factors that influenced the macro- and microevolutionary processes that led to the structure observed. Among the mite variants identified, we found two genetically similar populations that differed in their reproductive abilities and thus in their host specificity. These lineages could interbreed, which represents a threat due to the possible increased virulence of the parasite on its original host. However, interbreeding was unidirectional from the host-shifted to the nonshifted native mites and could thus lead to speciation of the former. The results improve our understanding of the processes affecting the population structure and evolution of this economically important mite genus and suggest that introgression between shifted and nonshifted lineages may endanger the original host.

     

利用油茶蜜源克服蜂群“冬消春衰”的研究

利用油茶蜜源克服蜂群蜂量“冬消春衰”获得成功。意大利蜜蜂采集油茶蜜源,在科学饲喂“蜂乐”解毒灵的基础上,加强保温,适时取蜜,强群采集,就可克服蜂群因冬季气温不适、蜜源不足而造成的群势消减现象,春季群势复壮速度明显加快,同时可培育越冬蜂王,取得显著经济效益。     

A metabarcoding tool to detect predation of the honeybee Apis mellifera and other wild insects by the invasive Vespa velutina

The invasive Vespa velutina has been widely referred as an effective predator of honeybees. Despite the potential risk to pollination services provision and honey production, there is no accurate quantification and assessment of its real consequences for honeybees. To date, the identification of the honeybee and other insects in the diet of V. velutina has been investigated by direct observation of adult foraging or examination of food pellets. To overcome these limitations, in this study we used a DNA metabarcoding approach to evaluate the usefulness of different types of sample (jaws and stomachs collected from workers and larval faecal pellets taken from the hornet comb) to investigate the predation of V. velutina upon honeybees, and potentially on other insects. Honeybee DNA was identified in all types of samples, but larval faecal pellets retrieved the higher number of reads of honeybee DNA and the largest diversity at all taxonomic levels. Over all samples we could identify 4 orders, 9 families, 6 genera and 1 species of prey. We estimate that collecting 6 workers is sufficient to identify honeybee predation by a colony using worker’s jaws. Stomachs were the least useful sample type to detect honeybee DNA. The presence of honeybee DNA in all analysed colonies irrespective of collection site, and the variety of insect orders detected in the diet support current concerns over the acknowledged negative impact of V. velutina on managed honeybees and its potential threat to pollination services provision.

     

Untersuchungen zur Bekämpfung der Bienenmilbe,Varroa jacobsoni Oud.

Comparative study of 8 treatments was done to controlVarroa jacobsoni (Oudemans) infesting Carniolan honey beeApis mellifera L. colonies, including Apistan, Lactic acid, and Formic acid, using some methods of application. Experiments were carried out in the experimental apiary of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shebin El-Kom Egypt during the period from August to October 1991. Results showed that Apistan was the best material for controlV. jacobsoni followed by Lactic acid and Formic acid. Apistan completely controlled varroa mite at the 4 different doses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 strips/colony) and no significant differences were found between the different doses. Lactic acid and Formic acid (at the rate of 1.5 cm³/frame) were slightly effective against the varroa mite in both methods of application (above and under the frames). The application of acids under the frames had better results than the application above the frames.     

Nahrungswahl der Honigbiene bei verschiedenen Zuckern und Wirkung der Zucker auf die Lebensdauer

A study was carried out on the preference to some types of sugars by worker honey bees, and their effect on bee longevities. Honey syrup was preferred as food by the bees, followed by inverted sugar, common sugar syrup, and molasses. Worker honey bees fed on honey had the longest life-span (13.7 days), while those fed on commercial glucose had the earliest deaths.     

纳板河流域国家级自然保护区生区蜜蜂养殖研究

调查研究发现，研究区31个村寨，100％的村寨和38％的农户养蜂，共1281巢，产蜜5877kg，蜂产品基本自用，养蜂农户比例随民族不同和海拔不同有差异；饲养蜜蜂和无剌蜂共11个种，为西双版纳酿蜜蜜蜂的92％；农户有自己的蜜蜂分类体系和养蜂经验。认为社区养蜂有利于酿蜜蜜蜂的物种保护，建议给予重视。     

Apiculture and forestry (bees and trees)

Honey bees are found associated with forests globally. Flowers of forest trees provide subsistence for honey bees and the trees physically provide shelter for a swarm or bee hive. Forest management and beekeeping have each had a long history both in the United States and globally, but have seldom been integrated or studied in a systematic fashion. Purposeful plantings of trees, as in agroforestry systems, could be designed to favor bee forage or hive protection.Tree growing and beekeeping can easily be combined for several reasons. Both are sustainable on land that is hilly or otherwise less desirable for other agricultural purposes. Both require labor intermittently, and can be sustained while the grower/beekeeper is busy with other farming occupations. Bee hives require very little space, while the bees themselves can forage in a radius of 4 to 5 km. Hives may be located within or near a tree plantation, and utilize both the trees and surrounding other flowering plants for forage. Combining forestry and beekeeping provides annual honey bee products (e.g. honey, beeswax) to supplement income from a landowner's long term forest managements. In areas like Kentucky, where more than half of the forest landowners own 4 ha or less of commercially valuable woodland, it is important to produce economic benefit from those lands without harvesting all the trees. Combining bees and trees is one way of accomplishing this goal. This paper addresses several important known bee-tree interactions which need more systematic study.     

Harmfulness of eriophyid mites (Eriophyoidea,Acari) causing galls on trees and shrubs in the Czech Republic

Fifteen eriophyid mite species are the most abundant species in the Czech Republic from which four, viz.Eriophyes fraxinivorus onFraxinus excelsior, E. platanoideus onAcer platanoides, Phytoptus pyri onPyrus communis andStenacis triradiatus on various species ofSalix injure their host plants and are evaluated as pests. The weight of the leaves attacked by eriophyid mites increase with increasing number of galls pro leaf but the surface of attacked leaves decrease with increasing attack. Harmfulness of eriophyid mites manifests by reducing of assimilation processes, retardation of growth, precocious drying and fall-off of attacked leaves. Heavily attacked young shrubs and trees may dry and decease.With one figure and 2 tables     

The abundance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orius niger</Emphasis> (Wolf.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O. minutus</Emphasis> (L.) in potato fields and their life table parameters when fed on two prey species

Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) and onion thrips are serious pests of potatoes in the Ardabil region (Iran). In the present study, anthocorid species were identified in potato fields of this region during 2006 and 2007. The results of the abundance study indicate that Orius niger (Wolff) and O. minutus (Linnaeus) are major predators of these pests in potato fields. The life table parameters of these predators were compared when they were fed 2nd instar larvae of onion thrips or female TSSM on potato leaves. In these experiments, O. niger had a lower nymphal mortality, longer oviposition period, higher net reproductive rate (R ₀), and higher intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ) when fed thrips instead of mites. O. minutus feeding on mites compare to thrips had a lower nymphal mortality, longer oviposition period, higher net reproductive rate, and higher intrinsic rate of natural increase. Based on these results, it can be concluded that these predators could be useful as biological agents in potato fields.     

中国竹类病害记述及其病原物分类地位(下)

从1975至2006年的有关科技资料中,汇总到中国1竹亚科10属148竹种上的病原物208种,其中真菌183种、细菌1种、难培养原核生物2种、病毒1种、线虫3种、螨类18种.分别列出了病害名称、竹种、病原物和分布省份.根据最新分类系统确定了各类病原物(分别真菌、细菌、病毒、线虫、螨类)的分类地位,它们隶属于5纲、22目、2总科、47科、112属.这对了解竹林生态系统组成、生物多样性、防控外来有害生物以及竹病检疫和防治都有重要的参考作用.     

中国竹类病害记述及其病原物分类地位(上)

从1975至2006年的有关科技资料中,汇总到中国1竹亚科10属148竹种(分类单位)上的病原物208种,其中真菌183种、细菌1种、难培养原核生物2种、病毒1种、线虫3种、螨类18种.分别列出了病害名称、竹种、病原物和分布省份.根据最新分类系统确定了各类病原物(分别真菌、细菌、病毒、线虫、螨类)的分类地位,它们隶属于5纲、22目、2总科、47科、112属.这对了解竹林生态系统组成、生物多样性、防控外来有害生物以及竹病检疫和防治都有重要的参考作用.     

Bienenzucht in Südtirol

Apiculture in South Tyrol To day there are 40 000 bee swarms in South Tyrol. By their production of honey and wax the highlanders can increase their income. Furthermore the bees pollinate almost 7 millions of fruit trees as well as the plants of natural vegetation. In consequence of the using of insecticides in some regions the number of swarms has been strongly reduced. Unfortunately there is no rule in Italy which prohibits the using of toxical preparations during flower time. But altogether the apiculture in South Tyrol didn't decrease in last years in contrast to the most other European countries. The Agricultural School of Dietenheim near Bruneck harbours a station for apicultural information and research. But the equipment is antiquated. In the interest of rearing pure-blood bees (carnica-race) as well as of a better promotion of South Tyrolian apiculture it is urgent to build up a modern apicultural centre.     

野生传粉蜂的研究现状及存在的问题

文章综述了野生蜂资源多样性减少的原因,我国野生传粉蜂的研究现状及存在的问题,并提出保护野生传粉蜂资源的一些实施策略和建议。     

House dust mites and their sensitivity to wood oils and volatiles

Allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, perennial rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis caused by the house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, which are dominant species in homes, have recently become serious health problems. Reducing the number of and exposure to mites and mite allergens are the most important factors in preventing allergic diseases. Recently, the effects of essential oils of plants on house dust mites have received much attention with a view to producing natural mite-killing agents. Essential oils and their components of wood and their leaves have also received much attention. In this article, we summarize the biology of house dust mites, mite allergens, and their concentration in homes, and discuss the control of house dust mites by using plant and wood extractives, especially in relation to the influence of essential oils and volatiles from wood on house dust mites.     

Environmental management and biological aspects of the two eriophyoid fig mites Aceria ficus (Cotte) and Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer in Egypt

Mites associated with abandoned fig trees in Egypt were observed during a 2-year study. This study included species diversity and seasonal fluctuations as well as some biological aspects of common eriophyoid species. Three phytophagous species consisted of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus (Cotte), the fig leaf mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer and the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, representing a basic trophic level, were fed upon by three of predacious mites (Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor), Amblyselus swirskii Athias-Henriot, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez). Population abundance of the injurious mites were affected by the prevailing climatic conditions, action of predators and leaf age. A control measure of one summer pesticide (abamectin) application throughout the year seemed to be the most successful management of harmful mites. Life table parameters showed that the population of A. ficus multiplied 28.52 times in a generation time of 17.90 days, while R. ficifoliae population increased 16.50 times in a generation time of 14.61 days. Field and laboratory studies indicated that the viviparity is a typical character in the reproduction of R. ficifoliae.     

Effect of parathion on honey bee larvae rearedin vitro

First instar honey bee larvae (0.2–0.4 mg) from outdoor (summer season) and flight-room colonies (winter season) were reared in an incubator on a semisynthetic diet. Parathion was either dissolved in the diet (0.01–10.0 μg/ml) or topically applied (0–0.5 μg) to the 3rd instar larvae. Increasing doses of parathion caused a delay in larval development and prepupal mortality. The half lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the insecticide, if applied in the diet, was 0.02 and 0.14 μg/larva, respectively, for summer and for winter larvae. The half lethal dose (LD₅₀) after topical application was 0.18 μg parathion/larva. The utility of rearing honey bee larvaein vitro for evaluation of pesticide toxicity is also discussed.