African Study on Varroa

[norm]

It seems perhaps Africa may be better placed than anywhere else for honeybees to survive the onslaught of the varroa mite!

www.apidologie.org/index.php?option=article&access=standard&Itemid=129&url=/articles/apido/pdf/first/m09082.pdf

Norm

[Brian Durk]

Perhaps the greatest advantage African Honeybees have with regard to Varroa is that they have a development time of 19.5 days. This is the same as Apis Cerana the natural host of Varroa and does not allow a great expansion of numbers which happens with the European bee with it's 21 day development time.

[Doris]

Welcome to the forum, Norm!

Thanks for passing on this study, I wasn't aware that varroa has already arrived in Ghana! I am planning to go there in a few weeks and will be looking out for signs of it.

Lets hope that the damage by varroa remains small in Africa. Of course there might still be increased virus transmission and other effects, even if varroa itself won't kill off the colonies.

Best wishes, Doris

[oreyemi]

i will like to know the signs that indicates a colony is infected with varroa
thanks

oreyemi

[Brian Durk]

Doris & I have just visited Ghana Jan 19th to Feb 22nd and whilst in Twifo Praso did see varroa mites. We now have to think of a way of monitoring the levels.

[Doris]

Feb 1, 2010 13:35:19 GMT oreyemi said:

i will like to know the signs that indicates a colony is infected with varroa
thanks

oreyemi

Hi Oreyemi

Unless there are a lot of mites in the hive you might not easily notice them. They live on the bees and multiply inside the sealed brood cells.

One way of testing for them is by pulling out some drone pupae with a fork, you should see the mites on them.

For pictures go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varroa_destructor

Another way of testing is by placing a mesh-covered tray below the brood combs. Some vaseline would make the tray sticky and any varroa mites that fall through the mesh will be stuck to the bottom. Check and clean the tray weekly to assess how infested the colony is.

It's great that you are interested in finding out more, as there's no information out yet about the impact that varroa might have in Africa. Please keep us informed about your progress!

All the best, Doris

[oreyemi]

Hi Doris,

Thanks for the information.
I once feared that some of my colonies may be infected but now my fear is almost gone
.
I observed in some colonies that the young female bees after developing and having all the features of a bee instead of emerging some died in the sealed brood. and i wondered could this be varroa.

From your explanation and the link provided i need to observe the drone brood for further confirmation.

Thanks
Oreyemi

[Brian Durk]

As Doris has said, you need to check for the number of Varroa mites in the colony. I think it unlikely that fully formed bees would not emerge due to Varroa damage. If Varroa causes damage the bees emerge but are stunted or have damaged wings. Please do the tray test and inform us of the weekly mite drop.

[tombee]

Hello Doris/Brian Durk(Baba)

An extension message need to be packaged for the information of beekeepers in Africa. Such should contain a description of varroa, its mode of attack and the possible steps that can be taken to remedy the situation. Furthermore, the message has to be simple for easy access by illiterate beekeepers in Africa.
THanks

Thomas Bidoli

[briandurk]

Hi Thomas, I am hoping to put together a package of information about varroa, how to detect it and find out the approximate level of infestation.

Brian (Baba)

[cherry]

We are special bee drugs against varroa mites manufacturer, we can help you to cure varroa mites of bees. It is very effective and environmental .
If you need any help , please do not hesitate to contact me.
Email: [e-mail]
Mobile: [phone]

Thank you
Cherry

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