Abstract

REYNA FUENTES, Jesús Humberto; MARTINEZ GONZALEZ, Juan Carlos; SILVA CONTRERAS, Amador  and  LOPEZ AGUIRRE, Daniel. Effect of three vegetable grinds against the Varroa destructor mite in colonies of Apis mellifera. Nova scientia [online]. 2022, vol.14, n.28, 00002.  Epub Aug 01, 2022. ISSN 2007-0705.  https://doi.org/10.21640/ns.v14i28.3019.

Since the arrival of varroa (Varroa destructor) in Mexico, more than 33 % of the hives in the highland and northern regions of the country have been lost annually, due to the excessive use of synthetic acaricides, which have developed resistance in the populations of these mites. Due to this, the objective of this research was to evaluate the fall of V. destructor mites, as well as the percentage of infestation through the application of botanical grinds of garlic (Allium sativum), laurel (Laurus nobilis) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) in Apis mellifera colonies in winter season. 16 jumbo-type hives were used, thus four hives per treatment, where each hive was the experimental unit. The treatments were: 1) Control (no treatment); 2) garlic; 3) laurel, and 4) oregano. Treatments included powdered sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design. The percentage of initial infestation (covariate) does not represent significance (p > 0.05). Laurel presented the highest value (42.46 ± 12.07) for the number of fallen mites. From day 7 the infestation percentages decrease, highlighting laurel (p < 0.01). The group of control hives showed an upward trend, with averages higher than 5 % (5.32 ± 1.16). At present, the research area regarding the efficacy of botanical grinds in beekeeping is limited, therefore, the use of bioacaricides as botanical grinds represents an alternative for the control of the V. destructor mite, since they are ingredients of easy accessibility, they present a low cost and a simple methodology of elaboration and application. In addition, being an organic treatment, it guarantees environmental, obtaining safety in honey and by-products derived from the hive previously treated.

Keywords : varroasis; bioacaricide; sustaintable management; economic; health; hives; Mexico; mites; infestation; laurel; pests; bees; grindings; beekeeping; honey.

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