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To evaluate the acaricidal effects of some plant oils and tobacco extract on Varroa destructor mites, a study was conducted in laboratory as well as in bee hives at Honeybee Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad. In the lab experiments, clove oil and tobacco extract both proved to be equally effective against mites. The treatments were significantly...
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... alternatives, we evaluated different essential oils/extract at several concentrations for different intervals of time. The results obtained from our lab experiment showed that the essential oils/extract had a significant effect on the mite mortality (Three Way ANOVA, F (5, 108) = 33.86, P < 0.005). The clove oil and tobacco extract both proved to be most effective against mites ( Fig 1), followed by garlic, olive and neem oil, respectively. The percentage concentrations (Three Way ANOVA, F (2, 108) = 21.96, P < 0.005), and timing of treatment (Three Way ANOVA, F (1, 108) = 73.97, P < 0.005) were also found to be significantly different. About 150 essential oils or any of their components have been tested to control the mite V. destructor , with different results. Their toxicity, repellent or attractive effect towards the mite and their influence on the mite’s reproduction have been evaluated, when essential oils have been locally administered, or applied in pulverization or in a passive evaporation form (Imdorf et al., 1999). The results/findings of the experiment shows that the overall mean mortality for the number of mites for different concentrations i.e. 5%, 10% and 15% of essential oils/extract were 4.15±0.23, 2.95±0.16 and 2.35±0.18, respectively (Fig. 2), which clearly showed that 5% is the most effective as compared to 10 and 15% concentrations, which is against the findings of Abdel Rahman and Rateb (2008) who found that the highest concentrations of lemon juice (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) caused high number of fallen dead mites and Zaitoon (2001) who found that the highest concentrations (500 ppm) of Rhazya stricta caused 100% mite mortality. Results are confirmed by Abd El-Wahab and Ebada (2006) who recorded significant differences between the sour orange, lemon grass and citronella oils in different concentrations. The 5% concentrations of different oils/extracts were applied in various combinations following the same procedure and it was found that even the combinations also killed mites in a significantly different manner (at 5% level of significance). The most effective combination was clove oil and tobacco extract with the mean mortality of 5.00±1.01 and the least effective treatment after control was garlic and tobacco extract (0.25±0.21). The results are presented in Figure 1. As far as the timings of application are concerned (Fig. 3) the number of dead fallen mites were higher after 24h, than 48 h. These results are supported by the findings of Shoreit and Hussein (1994), who found that the maximum mean number of dead mites was observed after the first treatment with coriander extract after that it was gradually decreased. Abdel Rahman and Rateb (2008) resulted that the numbers of dead fallen Varroa mites were comparatively higher after 24 h, than after 48 h and after 72 h which exhibited the lowest number. This is contrary to the findings of Calderone and Spivak (1995) and El-Zemity et al . (2006) who found that essential oils showed good result against Varroa mite after 48 h of exposure. In field experiment using only 5% concentration alone and in combination all oils/ extract for the control of Varroa mites. The range of efficacy in colonies treated with different oils/ extract and their combinations were 71.58% to 97.24%. The percentages were arcsine square root transformed and when compared between different treatments the results were significantly different (One Way ANOVA, F (15, 47) = 2.312, P<0.05). All tested combinations confirmed as clove oil + tobacco extract (T14) the best combination with mean value of efficacy (%) 96.48±0.52 (Mean±SE). The percentages were compared between different treatments the results were significantly different (at 5% level of significance) (Table I). From the results obtained from this study, it can be concluded that T14, 381.67±24.31 at 5% concentrations can be considered a promising agent for the control of V. destructor (Table I). The honey yield from hives when treated with different essential oils/extracts was also weighed at the end of experiment. The mean honey yield (kg) compared between the treatments were higher 20.50±0.29 in treatment (T14) and lower in honey yield in control group (T16) i.e. 6.23±0.39 at 5% level of significance (Table I). The results are in agreement with Allam- Sally (1999) and El-Zemity et al . (2006) who stated that the clove oil gave good results in controlling mites and Fouly and Al-Dehhairi (2009) who found clove killed 62% Varroa mites. Rashid et al . (2012a,b,c) found that highest mean efficacy (%) of 99±1.24 and honey yield (kg) 12.08± 0.86 was found in 3.2% oxalic acid treatment. Hussein et al. (2001) used six plant oils to control Varroa mites in honeybee colonies and rated clove oil best among the other essential oils. Similar results were also observed by Rajiter (1983), who found 50-79% mite mortality when applied different amounts of tobacco as fumigant. Abdol-Ahad et al. (2008) who concluded that tobacco extract without harmful effect against honeybees and decreased Varroa mite population. There are different researchers that reported a positive effect of tobacco on Varroa mite mortalities (Rijiter, 1982, 1983; Rijiter and Eijnd, 1984). The conclusion was the effective substances in neem are not volatile. Keeping in view the work of previous researchers the aim was to bring the essential oils in different concentrations into contact with mites. The results of experiment were also found in confirmation with Melathopoulos et al. (2000) who observed that when bees and mites were brought into contact with neem oil that it was spread on a surface it resulted in a 95% success. Hassan et al. (2008) indicated that neem oil efficacy rate is only 4.95% against Varroa mite and not suitable for Varroa control. Botanical extracts obtained from different plant species have also shown a broad spectrum of biological activity in relation with mite population management (Banchio et al., 2003, 2005; Jbilou et al., 2006). From the results obtained from this work, it can be concluded that the clove oil alone or in combination with tobacco extract at 5% concentrations can be considered promising agents for the control of Varroa destructor . It was also concluded that clove oil + tobacco extract can play an important role in an integrated pest management program to control Varroa mite in honeybee colonies. Good results can be obtained when the above materials are used 3-4 times each month during the infestation period. Also these materials proved to be harmless to the bee and quite safe to the environment. We acknowledge Mr. Qurban, Senior Scientific Assistant and Mr. Umar Daraz Bee Attendant for collecting mite collection trays and PMAS-Arid University for providing of oils extraction ...
Context 2
... alternatives, we evaluated different essential oils/extract at several concentrations for different intervals of time. The results obtained from our lab experiment showed that the essential oils/extract had a significant effect on the mite mortality (Three Way ANOVA, F (5, 108) = 33.86, P < 0.005). The clove oil and tobacco extract both proved to be most effective against mites ( Fig 1), followed by garlic, olive and neem oil, respectively. The percentage concentrations (Three Way ANOVA, F (2, 108) = 21.96, P < 0.005), and timing of treatment (Three Way ANOVA, F (1, 108) = 73.97, P < 0.005) were also found to be significantly different. About 150 essential oils or any of their components have been tested to control the mite V. destructor , with different results. Their toxicity, repellent or attractive effect towards the mite and their influence on the mite’s reproduction have been evaluated, when essential oils have been locally administered, or applied in pulverization or in a passive evaporation form (Imdorf et al., 1999). The results/findings of the experiment shows that the overall mean mortality for the number of mites for different concentrations i.e. 5%, 10% and 15% of essential oils/extract were 4.15±0.23, 2.95±0.16 and 2.35±0.18, respectively (Fig. 2), which clearly showed that 5% is the most effective as compared to 10 and 15% concentrations, which is against the findings of Abdel Rahman and Rateb (2008) who found that the highest concentrations of lemon juice (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) caused high number of fallen dead mites and Zaitoon (2001) who found that the highest concentrations (500 ppm) of Rhazya stricta caused 100% mite mortality. Results are confirmed by Abd El-Wahab and Ebada (2006) who recorded significant differences between the sour orange, lemon grass and citronella oils in different concentrations. The 5% concentrations of different oils/extracts were applied in various combinations following the same procedure and it was found that even the combinations also killed mites in a significantly different manner (at 5% level of significance). The most effective combination was clove oil and tobacco extract with the mean mortality of 5.00±1.01 and the least effective treatment after control was garlic and tobacco extract (0.25±0.21). The results are presented in Figure 1. As far as the timings of application are concerned (Fig. 3) the number of dead fallen mites were higher after 24h, than 48 h. These results are supported by the findings of Shoreit and Hussein (1994), who found that the maximum mean number of dead mites was observed after the first treatment with coriander extract after that it was gradually decreased. Abdel Rahman and Rateb (2008) resulted that the numbers of dead fallen Varroa mites were comparatively higher after 24 h, than after 48 h and after 72 h which exhibited the lowest number. This is contrary to the findings of Calderone and Spivak (1995) and El-Zemity et al . (2006) who found that essential oils showed good result against Varroa mite after 48 h of exposure. In field experiment using only 5% concentration alone and in combination all oils/ extract for the control of Varroa mites. The range of efficacy in colonies treated with different oils/ extract and their combinations were 71.58% to 97.24%. The percentages were arcsine square root transformed and when compared between different treatments the results were significantly different (One Way ANOVA, F (15, 47) = 2.312, P<0.05). All tested combinations confirmed as clove oil + tobacco extract (T14) the best combination with mean value of efficacy (%) 96.48±0.52 (Mean±SE). The percentages were compared between different treatments the results were significantly different (at 5% level of significance) (Table I). From the results obtained from this study, it can be concluded that T14, 381.67±24.31 at 5% concentrations can be considered a promising agent for the control of V. destructor (Table I). The honey yield from hives when treated with different essential oils/extracts was also weighed at the end of experiment. The mean honey yield (kg) compared between the treatments were higher 20.50±0.29 in treatment (T14) and lower in honey yield in control group (T16) i.e. 6.23±0.39 at 5% level of significance (Table I). The results are in agreement with Allam- Sally (1999) and El-Zemity et al . (2006) who stated that the clove oil gave good results in controlling mites and Fouly and Al-Dehhairi (2009) who found clove killed 62% Varroa mites. Rashid et al . (2012a,b,c) found that highest mean efficacy (%) of 99±1.24 and honey yield (kg) 12.08± 0.86 was found in 3.2% oxalic acid treatment. Hussein et al. (2001) used six plant oils to control Varroa mites in honeybee colonies and rated clove oil best among the other essential oils. Similar results were also observed by Rajiter (1983), who found 50-79% mite mortality when applied different amounts of tobacco as fumigant. Abdol-Ahad et al. (2008) who concluded that tobacco extract without harmful effect against honeybees and decreased Varroa mite population. There are different researchers that reported a positive effect of tobacco on Varroa mite mortalities (Rijiter, 1982, 1983; Rijiter and Eijnd, 1984). The conclusion was the effective substances in neem are not volatile. Keeping in view the work of previous researchers the aim was to bring the essential oils in different concentrations into contact with mites. The results of experiment were also found in confirmation with Melathopoulos et al. (2000) who observed that when bees and mites were brought into contact with neem oil that it was spread on a surface it resulted in a 95% success. Hassan et al. (2008) indicated that neem oil efficacy rate is only 4.95% against Varroa mite and not suitable for Varroa control. Botanical extracts obtained from different plant species have also shown a broad spectrum of biological activity in relation with mite population management (Banchio et al., 2003, 2005; Jbilou et al., 2006). From the results obtained from this work, it can be concluded that the clove oil alone or in combination with tobacco extract at 5% concentrations can be considered promising agents for the control of Varroa destructor . It was also concluded that clove oil + tobacco extract can play an important role in an integrated pest management program to control Varroa mite in honeybee colonies. Good results can be obtained when the above materials are used 3-4 times each month during the infestation period. Also these materials proved to be harmless to the bee and quite safe to the environment. We acknowledge Mr. Qurban, Senior Scientific Assistant and Mr. Umar Daraz Bee Attendant for collecting mite collection trays and PMAS-Arid University for providing of oils extraction ...
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Citations
... Given the documented resistance of Varroa mites to chemical acaricides such as fluvalinate, apistane, coumaphos, and amitraz (Milani, 1995;Panini et al., 2019;Rinkevich, 2020;Elzen et al., 2000b;Spreafico et al., 2001), the use of plant extracts as alternative acaricides has been explored. Some of these extracts have shown significant efficacy (Alssadi et al., 2024;Elzen et al., 2000a;Elroby & Darwish, 2018;Bakar et al., 2017;Mahmood et al., 2014;Calderon & Spivak, 1995). In this study, treatment with 40 ml of essential oils at a 15% concentration led to a rapid catabolic effect and subsequent death of Varroa mites. ...
1 ان مرو حميدة ، 2 م ، الداعدي رباح 3 1 ، 2 ، 3 ابلس، طر جامعة اعة، الزر كلية ابلس طر ، ليبيا Marwan.keshlaf@fulbrightmail.org الم دت خلص : السد األساسية يهت الد فعالية تقييم إلي اسة الجر ىحه ىجفت (الخخدل نباتات> ثالثة من تخلرة nthtnycoloc soolihhic (الدعتخ ،) sihyhlocirlylic (الثهم و ،) cohosiliuhhoil (ا الفارو حلم مكافحة في) rcolinotli ahllth مجسهعات> بع أر إلى نحل طائفة ين عذخ تقديم تم الشحل. ائف طه لفقجان ئيدية الخ األسباب أحج يعج الحي و ،) الذاىج مجسهعة ب مجسهعة كل معاملة تم يبية. تجخ مجسهعات ثالث و 84 بتخكيد الشباتي يت الد من مل 59 تم .٪ السعجني الذباك ذات الخلية قاعجة استخجام تم كسا بالكحهل، الغدل يقة طخ باستخجام بالحلم اإلصابة مدتهيات تقجيخ األساسية يهت الد جسيع أن الشتائج أظيخت الحلم. سقهط معجالت اقبة لسخ ا. الفارو مكافحة في فعالة كانت ة السختبخ البالغ الشحل على ا بالفارو اإلصابة ندبة خفض في يت الد فاعلية بلغت <: للخخدل، ٪ <9 و للدعتخ، ٪ ;< للثهم. ٪ بلغت حيث ، ً ندبيا أعلى الفاعلية كانت فقج الشحل، لحزشة بالشدبة أما =: للخخدل، ٪ =4 و للدعتخ، ٪ ;4 تم للثهم. ٪ مع أعلى رصج بعج فاعلية ذروة مع ة، السختبخ يهت الد لجسيع األولى السعاملة بعج للحلم سقهط جالت 68 من ساعة بشدبة ا للفارو أسبهعي سقهط معجل أعلى الخخدل يت ز سجل السعاملة. 96 الدعتخ يليو ، ٪ 8; يت ز سجل بيشسا ،٪ بشدبة سقهط معجل أدنى الثهم 78 األساس يهت الد أن إلى الشتائج ىحه تذيخ .٪ في ً أمشا و ً فعاال ً بجيال تكهن أن يسكن ية بالسشاحل. ا الفارو حلم ة إدار المفتاحية: الكلمات ن األساسية، يهت الد ليبيا. األفات، ة إدار ا، الفارو حلم العدل، حل Abstract: This experiment aimed to evaluate acaricidal activity of essential oils extracted from bitter melon (Citrullus colocynthis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and garlic (Allium sativum) against varroa mites (Varroa destructor), a major cause of honeybee colony loss. Twenty honeybee colonies were divided into four groups, one control group and four treatment groups. Each treatment group received 40 ml of plant extracts at a 15% concentration. Mite infestation levels were assessed using the alcohol wash method, and hive bottom boards were utilized to monitor mite drop rates. All tested essential oils were effective against mites. The efficacy rates on the adult bees were 86% for bitter melon, 85% for thyme and 78% for garlic. On the brood, the rates were slightly higher, with 96% for bitter melon, 90% for thyme and 70% for garlic. The highest mite drop rates were observed after the first application of all tested oils, with peak toxicity occurring 24 hours
... This weakens and shortens the bee's life. Varroa destructor mite has become a serious pest of Apis mellifera all over the world (Baker and Peng, 1995;Rashid et al., 2014). It causes serious losses in apiculture of A. mellifera. ...
... The results of this study are consistent with several previous studies which concluded that essential oils were effective in controlling varroa mites (Imdorf et al., 1999;Abd El-Wahab et al., 2012;Rashid et al., 2012;Islam et al., 2016;Abu Bakar et al., 2019;Hýbl et al., 2021). Although it is difficult to compare the results of the current study with other studies due to the differences in oils tested, as well as the treatment method and concentrations used, it is useful to refer to a laboratory study by Rashid et al. (2014) to evaluate the efficiency of clove oil, neem, olive, garlic, and tobacco extracts and applied with different concentrations. They found that the mixture of clove oil and tobacco extract was the most effective compound at a concentration of 5%, in addition to that the results of the field experiment recorded the highest rate of daily fall of varroa mites when using the same mixture at the same concentration. ...
Background
Ecto-parasite, varroa mite, (Varroa destructor), is the primary pest affecting the apiculture sector globally in various regions.
Aim
This study examined the toxicity of nine essential oils to Apis mellifera L. and the acaricidal impact of those oils against V. destructor.
Methods
The acaricidal effects of nine essential oils, extracted from plant materials were used. In the screening experiment, 10 mg of the active ingredients of the plant material extracts were prepared in an alcohol solution with concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%. For each type of plant extract, five female V. destructor were transferred to a Petri dish with five worker bees incubated at 70% humidity and 33°–34° for 2 days, for each treatment four replicates were used compared to the control. Forty-eight hours following treatment, the number of dead and live mites was counted to determine the mortality rate. In the second assay experiment, the best five essential oils of the previous experiment were selected to re-assess their effectiveness on varroa mites and honeybee workers by using a concentration of 15%. Five females of V. destructor were transferred to a Petri dish with 10 adult bees and treated with the solution of the selected oils. Five replicates and control treatments were taken for each sample simultaneously. Dead and live bees were counted for each replicate at 48 hours after treatment.
Results
There were no significant differences between the concentrations used of each oil on the rate of death of mites, and its effectiveness ranged between 70.0% and 53.3% compared to the control groups. In addition, the best oil used was bitter melon, with a death rate of 80% at a concentration of 15%, while peppermint oil showed the lowest death rate of 45% at a concentration of (5%). However, all these treatments were statistically highly significant compared with the natural death rate in control (2%). In the second test, the results of the statistical analysis indicated that there were highly significant differences (P0.05 <0.0001) in the average numbers of dead varroa mites compared to the control when using a 15% concentration of five selected oils. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference in the honey bee workers’ mortality rate between the treatment and control groups (P0.05 <0.3390), and it was relatively low for all treatments except the basil oil, where the bee mortality rate was 16% compared to the control (10%).
Conclusion
It is clear from this experiment that bitter melon oil can be used to control varroa mites and it can be considered safe for honey bees as well as for the environment.
... This might be the reason that only a few of them have been tested under colony conditions [33,40,55,56]. Several studies have been previously reported that clove oil had high efficacy for Varroa controlling both in laboratory and in the field conditions [30,46,57,58]. Oregano essential oil has demonstrated acaricidal activity on Varroa with efficiency of 57-74% depending on the concentration used [59]. ...
The ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor is the most serious widespread pest of managed honeybees (Apis mellifera). Several acaricide products, which include essential oils, have been proposed for mite control. In this study, we aimed to apply atmospheric-pressure plasma to modify a cardboard piece surface in order to prolong the delivery of essential oils for controlling Varroa in honeybee colonies. Absorption capacity, release rates and evaporation rates of essential oils were determined. Cardboard piece showed a higher absorption capacity of cinnamon compared to citronella and clove. Surface modification of cardboard pieces using argon plasma at different gas flow rates and treatment durations, significantly affected the absorption of clove oil. Additionally, the release rate of cinnamon, citronella and clove was significantly enhanced after argon plasma treatments. Evaporation of cinnamon was dramatically increased by plasma treatment at 6-h of incubation. The highest evaporation rate was obtained by plasma-treated cardboard piece at a gas flow rate of 0.5 Lpm for 60 s (0.2175 ± 0.0148 μl/g•h). Efficiency of plasma-treated cardboard piece, impregnated with essential oils, was also investigated for Varroa control in honeybee colonies. In the first experiment, formic acid 65% (v/v) showed the highest efficiency of 90.60% and 81.59% with the percent of mite infestation was 0.23 ± 0.13% and 0.47 ± 0.19% at 21 and 35 days, respectively after treatment. The efficacy of cardamon oil (5% (v/v)) delivered using plasma-treated cardboard pieces was 57.71% (0.70 ± 0.16% of mite infestation) at day 21 of experiment. However, the delivery of cardamon oil at the concentration of 1% and 5% (v/v) by untreated cardboard piece had 16.93% and 24.05% of efficacy to control mites. In the 2nd experiment, the application of plasma-treated cardboard pieces impregnated with 5% (v/v) clove oil induced a 38.10% reduction in the population of Varroa mites followed by 5% (v/v) of cardamon with 30% efficiency. Although, the infestation rate of Varroa in colonies was not significant different between treatments, essential oils delivered using plasma-treated cardboard pieces tended to decrease Varroa population in the treated colonies. Hence, atmospheric-pressure plasma for the modification of other materials, should be further investigated to provide alternative control treatment applications against honeybee mites.
... They have a repulsive and toxic effect on arthropods through fumigation, topical use or ingestion (Umpiérrez et al., 2011). It has been reported that the use in bees of Clove oil has considerable acaricidal properties against varroa mites (Mahmood et al., 2014;Li et al., 2017). ...
... The anti-varroa activity of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) clove oil has been previously demonstrated. The mortality rate can reach 60-96% (Su et al., 2012;Mahmood et al., 2014). Eugenol is the main constituent of this EO, which was recovered in beeswax over a two-week period, supporting the idea that medicinal treatment with clove oil is both stable and long-lasting (Mahmood et al., 2014). ...
... The mortality rate can reach 60-96% (Su et al., 2012;Mahmood et al., 2014). Eugenol is the main constituent of this EO, which was recovered in beeswax over a two-week period, supporting the idea that medicinal treatment with clove oil is both stable and long-lasting (Mahmood et al., 2014). Eugenol has different biological properties: bactericidal, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory (Rana et al., 2011). ...
Antimicrobial and anti-Varroa destructor L. activity of the essential oil (EO) of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae) was evaluated in this study. Antimicrobial activity concerned 9 bacterial strains (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli ATCC 25911, Staphylococcus aureus 29213 ATCC, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter sakazakii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter sp.), a fungal strain (Penicillium sp.) and a yeast species (Candida albicans). The extraction of the EO was carried out by the method of hydrodistillation. Results showed that EO has no toxicity on bees Apis mellifera. EO demonstrated effective and stable anti-V. destructor activity, indicating the absence of possible resistance, in contrast to what was observed for Amitraz. The inhibitory activity of EO revealed an inhibition zone of diameter varying between 20 mm and 42 mm for bacteria. However, no inhibition zones were observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC. The inhibitory activity of EO on Penicillium sp and Candida albicans revealed an inhibition zone of 39 mm in diameter. This study shows that the EO of cloves constitutes a simple and natural treatment, without inconveniences, with a high activity antimicrobial and anti-Varroa destructor which merits it to be proposed as a means to fight against varroosis and the tested pathogens.
... Studies with essential oils of various species of this genus report the presence of the compound 1,8-cineole, a monoterpene already in use in the pharmaceutical industry for its antimicrobial activity in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The compound also has applicability as an acaricide [11,12] and has displayed DOI: 10.2478/cipms-2020-0026 insecticidal activity against V. destructor, an ectoparasite that contributes to the collapse of bee colonies, resulting in economic losses and ecological problems related to the role of bees as the most important pollinators on Earth [13][14][15][16]. ...
Varroa destructor is an external parasitic mite that is a serious pest of honeybees and has caused severe losses of colonies worldwide. One of the feasible alternative treatments being used for their control is the application of essential oils, which are generally inexpensive and most pose few health risks. The investigation was designed to determine the chemical composition, toxicity and acaricidal effects of Eucalyptus amygdalina leaf essential oil (EaEO) grown in Algeria and to compare its activity on Varroa destructor with that of Eucalyptus globulus from the same region. Fresh leaves of E. amygdalina (Ea) by steam distillation yielded 0.77% (v/w), and investigation of the oil on GC/MS resulted in the identification of 35 compounds, with 1.8-cineole (35.78%) as most abundant constituent. Other notable compounds include spathulenol (12.58%), camphene (7.73%), α-pinene (4.38%), valencene (2.64%), while 2-carene and ledol (1.45%) were also among the constituents identified. The acaricidal features of the essential oil was evaluated using bee hives infected by Varroa destructor, and a significant effect of oil application was observed (p < 0.05). Cytotoxic effect was assayed using the brine shrimp lethality assay, Probit’s analysis of the result revealed an LC50 value of 116.06 μg/mL. Essential oil of E. amygdalina (EaEO) has potential acaricidal effect on Varroa destructor, but this effect is less important than the one recorded by E. globulus. Further studies are needed to determine the active component responsible for this effect.
... Another study reported a toxic effect in A. mellifera when using floral essential oil from Eupatorium buniflorum of the same Asteraceae family (Umpi errez, Santos, Mendoza, Altesor, & Rossini, 2013). However, Damiani et al. (2011), Mahmood et al. (2014, and Kim, Park, and Lee (2016) did not relate the use of the ethanolic extracts of Baccharis flabellata, Aster scaber, and Artemisia dubia-both of the family Asteraceaewith a reduction in longevity or other negative effects on A. mellifera. The extract of M. chamomilla also showed insecticidal effects on other insects, including the bronze bug T. peregrinus (Haas et al., 2016). ...
This work attempted to determine the effects of the aqueous extracts of Echinodorus grandiflorus, Origanum majorana, Punica granatum and Matricaria chamomilla on Africanized Apis mellifera workers, as well as their effects on the digestive tracts of these insects and chromatographic analysis of its compounds. For this, the methods of direct spraying, contaminating diets and treatment of contact surfaces (soybean leaves) were used. Five treatments were established: sterilized distilled water (control), aqueous extract of “leather hat” (E. grandiflorus), marjoram (O. majorana), pomegranate (P. granatum) and chamomile (M. chamomilla) at concentrations of 5%. Each treatment consisted of five replicates with 20 bees per replicate; each bee was an experimental unit. The workers of A. mellifera submitted to the treatments were conditioned in gearbox boxes, and these were kept in a climatic chamber (27 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 10% U.R.). The mortality of the workers was evaluated at different hours. The workers killed by the ingestion of contaminated paste were separated for midgut histological analysis. Plant extracts were submitted to chromatography. It was verified that all vegetal extracts reduced the survival of the workers of A. mellifera in all the bioassays. Plant extracts O. majorana and P. granatum caused morphometric changes, reducing the length of A. mellifera mesenteric cells. The extract of O. majorana showed a negative effect on A. mellifera; it reduced the survival of the workers in all the bioassays in which it was evaluated. It also caused morphometric alterations in the cells of the midgut.
... Pyrethroids (fluvalinate and flumethrin) are synthetic derivatives of pyrethrum and are amongst the most commonly used chemicals to control mites infesting A. mellifera (Mahmood et al., 2014). Fluvalinate is being used since 1990s (Camphor et al., 2005) and flumethrin is introduced since last decade (Mahmood et al., 2012). ...
Residues of acaricide, flumethrin were detected from honey and beeswax using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Forty samples of honey were collected before flumethrin treatment and 30, 60, and 90 days after application from five Apis mellifera colonies; one sample from the central frame containing brood and honey, while the other from the frame filled with honey from peripheral side of each colony at every sampling interval. Honey samples were taken by uncapping the cells with knife and extracting the honey with a syringe of 12 mL capacity. Twenty samples of beeswax (one sample from peripheral frames of each colony) were collected from five selected beehives. Two solvents n-hexane and dichloromethane (4:6, v/v) were used for making extracts of honey and beeswax samples, respectively which were further concentrated by rotary evaporation. All the samples were purified and detected at a wavelength of 267 nm. From the HPLC residual analysis, all the honey samples were found free of acaricide flumethrin; as it could not be detected from any of the 40 samples. However, all the beeswax samples were positive for flumethrin residues. The highest level of flumethrin (0.0759 mg/kg) was detected from the samples of beeswax samples taken from the bee colonies after 30 days of flumethrin application. Despite of the fact that flumethrin residues were detected from all the test beeswax samples, however no one was noticed to exceed the tolerance levels established by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Commission guidelines. Present method of flumethrin detection through HPLC also proved to be a promising alternative of Gas Chromatography with high sensitivity and can be used as an appropriate method to determine flumethrin residues from honey and beeswax.
... These essential oils are believed to be effective due to their neurological effects on V. destructor (Blenau et al. 2012). Tobacco extract was also shown to be an effective acaricide, especially when used in combination with clove oil (Mahmood et al. 2014). Thymol, purchased as Apiguard gel or powder, is the most commonly used essential oil. ...
Varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) infestation of European honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies has been a growing cause of international concern among beekeepers throughout the last 50 yr. Varroa destructor spread from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana Fabricius [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) to A. mellifera populations in Europe in the 1970s, and subsequently traveled to the Americas. In addition to causing damage through feeding upon lipids of larval and adult bees, V. destructor also facilitates the spread of several viruses, with deformed wing virus being most prevalent. Several sampling methods have been developed for estimating infestation levels of A. mellifera colonies, and acaricide treatments have been implemented. However, overuse of synthetic acaricides in the past has led to widespread acaricide resistant V. destructor populations. The application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques is a more recent development in V. destructor control and is suggested to be more effective than only using pesticides, thereby posing fewer threats to A. mellifera colonies. When using IPM methods, informed management decisions are made based upon sampling, and cultural and mechanical controls are implemented prior to use of acaricide treatments. If acaricides are deemed necessary, they are rotated based on their mode of action, thus avoiding V. destructor resistance development.
... Use of synthetic lipophilic acaricides has led to the accumulation of residues in beewax, propolis and in honey, which is harmful for human health. But now a days, recommendation about chemical control are being changed to new products like essential oils (Mahmood et al., 2014). Because resistance developed in Varroa mites against chemicals therefore essential oils are good alternative to manage Varroa mites (Bakar et al., 2017). ...
The experiment was conducted at University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha during 2015. The apiary had 20 Langstroth standard colonies of Apis mellifera naturally infested with Varroa destructor. Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) is the most destructive pest of honeybees and a major threat to beekeepers in different areas of the world. Many control measures including application of chemicals, are adopted to control the infestation of mites in honey bee colonies. Chemical are still the most effective option; however, they pose different threats; due to which they should be alternated with non chemical options. Natural acaricides are considered important alternative control measure for Varroa mites. This study was planned to check the efficacy of different essential oils (Lemon oil, Eucalyptus oil, Wintergreen oil, Orange oil and Neem oil) in different concentrations against percent mortality of Varroa mites. The essential oils were applied at different concentrations (100 ppm, 200 ppm and 400 ppm) and percent mortality data were recorded after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hrs of the application. The results of present study were showed that lemon oil and eucalyptus oils were best compounds to manage Varroa mites at 200 ppm concentration. Percent mortality of Varroa mites was 59.2% and 58.3%, respectively after 72 hrs. When selected essential oils with different concentrations were applied against Varroa, no mortality of bees was observed. Neem oil gave (90%) significant control at 400 ppm concentration. There was no significant mortality observed in winter green oil. So, the neem oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon oil can be used against Varroa mites to improve the production of honey.
