In Vitro effectiveness of different fungistatics for the control of Ascosphaera apis and determination of LD50 for adults honey bees

LEVERATTO, D. D; GUARDIA LÓPEZ, A. R.; ALBO, G. N.; ARTURI, M.; REYNALDI, F. J.

San Miguel de Tucumán. Tucuman. ARGENTINA

Jornada; TERCERA REUNIÓN DE PRODUCCIÓN VEGETAL Y PRIMERA DE PRODUCCIÓN ANIMAL DEL NOA; 2004

Sociedad de Biología de Tucumán

SUMMARY Ascosphaera apis Maassen ex Claussen (Olive &Spiltoir) is the causal agent of chalkbrood disease of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) producing weakening in bee colonies. Essential oils from aromatic plants present antimicrobial activities “in vitro” and have been succesfully used for the control of chalkbrood disease.The present work tried to determine toxicity of essential oils on bee larvas and also to evaluate toxicity tests “in vitro” on adult bees. Essential oils from savory ( Satureia hortensis L.) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) were tested. Treatments on larvas were applied in syrup form using ethilic alcohol in 50% sacharose solution for control. Toxicity tests on adult bees were assayed with propylen glycol at 5 percent in 50% sacharose solution for control. Trials indicated that lemon grass and savory essential oils showed higher toxicity than the controls on larvas in beehives and for adult bees “in vitro”.   KEYWORDS: chalkbrood disease, essential oils, toxicity, Apis mellifera