Spatial epidemiology of the Asian honey bee mite (Varroa destructor) in the North Island of New Zealand

We describe the spatial epidemiology of Varroa destructor infestation among honey bee apiaries in the greater Auckland area of the North Island of New Zealand. The study population was comprised of 641 apiaries located within the boundaries of the study area on 11 April 2000. Cases were those members of the study population declared Varroa-infested on the basis of testing conducted between April and June 2000. The odds of Varroa was highest in apiaries in the area surrounding transport and storage facilities in the vicinity of Auckland International Airport. A mixed-effects geostatistical model, accounting for spatial extra-binomial variation in Varroa prevalence, showed a 17% reduction in the odds of an apiary being Varroa infested for each kilometre increase in the squared distance from the likely site of incursion (95% Bayesian credible interval 7–28%). The pattern of spatially autocorrelated risk that remained after controlling for the effect of distance from the likely incursion site identified areas thought to be ‘secondary’ foci of Varroa infestation initiated by beekeeper-assisted movement of infested bees. Targeted investigations within these identified areas indicated that the maximum rate of local spread of Varroa was in the order of 12 km/year (interquartile range 10–15 km/year).     

蜂螨的种类及蜜蜂主要害螨研究进展

蜂螨是一类危害严重的蜜蜂寄生虫。随着蜂螨抗药性的产生和危害的加重,现已引起各国养蜂业的高度重视。本文从4个方面综述了近年来与蜂螨相关的研究进展:①蜂螨的种类;②重要蜜蜂害螨武氏蜂盾螨(Acarapis woodi),狄氏瓦螨(Varroa destructo)和小蜂螨(Tropilaelaps spp.)的分布、生物学特性、危害和防治方法;③与蜂螨相关的蜜蜂信息素研究;④与蜂螨相关的蜜蜂病害研究;并对今后蜂螨的研究趋势和方向进行了讨论。     

Efficacy of repeated trickle applications of oxalic acid in syrup for varroosis control in Apis mellifera: influence of meteorological conditions and presence of brood

Oxalic acid field trails for the control of varroosis (Varroa destructor) were carried out in an apiary located on the Mt. Imittos (Attica, Greece). The colonies received four successive applications (approximately one every 16 days) with 4.2% oxalic acid (OA) and 60% sugar solution by trickling method with two alternative types of syringes (an automatic self-filling dosing and a single-use) from the broodright to broodless period. The results indicate that the first three applications (from 6th October to 25th November-broodright period) resulted in 65.3% cumulative mite mortality, while only the last application (after the 26th November-broodless period) resulted in 77.3% mite mortality. Very low outern temperatures reduce to the minimum the bee movability, which may result into a slower development of the OA efficacy. No poor colony growth or queen loss were observed even if the bee colonies were received the four successive OA applications with the last one taken place at a very low outern temperature (6.2 degrees C). The trickling method using an automatic-filling syringe seems to be a very quick way for applying oxalic acid in large apiaries (approximately 150hives/h).     

An exposure study to assess the potential impact of fipronil in treated sunflower seeds on honey bee colony losses in Spain

BACKGROUND: There is great concern about the high losses and strong depopulation of honey bee colonies in some areas of Spain. Some beekeepers have suggested that sunflower seeds treated with the insecticide fipronil could be an important factor in causing those losses. Therefore, an in‐depth field study has been carried out in two regions of Spain where sunflower production is intense (Cuenca and Andalucía) and where, for some crops and varieties, fipronil has been used as seed insecticide. RESULTS: Samples of adult bees and pollen were analysed for bee pathogens and pesticide residues respectively. Neither fipronil residues nor its metabolites were detected in any of the samples analysed, indicating that short‐term or chronic exposure of bees to fipronil and/or its metabolites can be ruled out in the apiaries surveyed. Varroa destructor and Nosema ceranae were found to be very prevalent. CONCLUSION: The combination of the two pathogens could augment the risk of colony death in infected colonies, without fipronil residues exerting a significant effect in the given field conditions. Indeed, in this study the losses observed in apiaries located close to sunflower crops were similar to those in apiaries situated in forested areas with wild vegetation. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

西方密蜂群中大蜂螨、小蜂螨的消长动态研究

广州地区西方蜜蜂 Apis mellifera 受大蜂螨 Varroa jacobsoni、小蜂螨 Tropilaelapsclareae 的双重危害,蜂群一年四季都有大、小蜂螨寄生,其中大蜂螨的寄生水平较低,巢房寄生率通常在5%左右,而小蜂螨危害比较严重,夏、秋两季是小蜂螨严重危害期,巢房寄生率最高达67.56%,巢房寄生密度达2.98螨/房。大、小蜂螨的消长变化与其寄主蜂群密切相关;随其寄主蜂群群势的变化而变化。     

狄氏瓦螨(Varroa destructor)的研究进展

狄氏瓦螨(Varroa destructor)是严重危害西方蜜蜂(Apismellifera)的一种寄生螨,近几年对狄氏瓦螨的研究有了新的进展,本文就血统进化、生理机制、携带病原菌和最新的防治方法等领域作一综述。