Effect of impalpable sugar on the control of Varroa destructor in honey bees

López Trujillo J.; Sotelo-Méndez A.; Velásquez Vergara C.; Martos Tupes A.; Norabuena Meza E.; Airahuacho Bautista F. · Idesia (2023) · DOI: 10.4067/s0718-34292023000400031

Resumen

The objective of the study was to determine the rate of varroa infestation in adult bees (TIVA) and the effect of impalpable sugar on the number of varroa captured in floor trap, during the period October to December 2017. Twenty hives with brood chamber provided with varroa trap were used: 10 hives with treatment of 100 g of impalpable sugar monthly and 10 control hives without treatment. Before the application of the treatment, samples of adult bees were taken from each hive to determine the TIVA; the count of varroas captured in the trap was carried out 24 hours after each sugar application. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-tests. In October and November, a similar TIVA was recorded in both the control group and the group treated with impalpable sugar (4.8% and 5.1%, respectively); while in December, the TIVA in the control group remained the same as in November (5.1%), but increased in the group treated with impalpable sugar to 7.5%. Regarding the number of varroas captured on the floor, in October and November, the treatment with impalpable sugar produced a higher varroa detachment (141 vs. 62 and 121 vs. 84, respectively) compared to the control group; but in December it was similar in both treatments (172 vs. 144, respectively). It is concluded that the treatment with impalpable sugar used in varroasis control was effective when the TIVA in the hives was lower.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina; Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería; Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión