Dinámica estacional de Varroa destructor y Nosema sp en colonias de Apis mellifera en clima templado de Argentina

CECCOTTI, M.; MIOTTI, C.; PACINI, A.; SIGNORINI, M.; GIACOBINO, A.

Revista Veterinaria

Universidad Nacional del Nordeste

Lugar: Corrientes; Año: 2022 vol. 33

1668-4834

The obligate ectoparasites Varroa destructor andNosema sp affect honey bee Apis mellifera health and generate important colony losses. Thispaper describes and analyze information from sentinel units about varrosis and nosemosisregional distribution and prevalence level during three years, according to a surveillanceprogram of EEA INTA Rafaela and INTA national beekeeping program. During the study,a total of 49 apiaries were monitored in four different zones of Santa Fe Province (North,South, Riverside and Central zone), which were visited at three moments every year: beforeautumn acaricide treatment, after the treatment and at the beginning of spring. Data aboutapiary management practices and samples for Varroa mites and Nosema were collected. Wefound high percentages of Varroa after treatment in South Zone during 2017 and in NorthZone during 2018 and 2019. Our results suggested that, both region and control strategies impact on Varroa infestation level during the course of the year, being their relative importancedepend on the moment when it is observed. In addition, seasonal trend of Varroa in responseto bee dynamic population explained the absence of interaction between period and yearfactors. According to our study, a surveillance program by means of sentinel apiaries whichidentify the main spread period was effective in monitoring and remedying the level of bothpathogens, so to ensure a healthy bee colony.