Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa Destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas

Maja Ivana Smodiš Škerl; Jorge Rivera-Gomis; Ivana Tlak Gajger; Jernej Bubnič; Gabriela Talakić; Giovanni Formato; Alessandra Baggio; Franco Mutinelli; Wim Tollenaers; Dries Laget; Valeria Malagnini; Livia Zanotelli; Marco Pietropaoli

doi:10.20944/preprints202107.0362.v1

Version 1 : Received: 9 July 2021 / Approved: 15 July 2021 / Online: 15 July 2021 (15:00:44 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 27 August 2021 / Approved: 30 August 2021 / Online: 30 August 2021 (12:52:30 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Smodiš Škerl, M.I.; Rivera-Gomis, J.; Tlak Gajger, I.; Bubnič, J.; Talakić, G.; Formato, G.; Baggio, A.; Mutinelli, F.; Tollenaers, W.; Laget, D.; Malagnini, V.; Zanotelli, L.; Pietropaoli, M. Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed^® Used for Controlling Varroa destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 8564. Smodiš Škerl, M.I.; Rivera-Gomis, J.; Tlak Gajger, I.; Bubnič, J.; Talakić, G.; Formato, G.; Baggio, A.; Mutinelli, F.; Tollenaers, W.; Laget, D.; Malagnini, V.; Zanotelli, L.; Pietropaoli, M. Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 8564.

Abstract

VarroMed® is a soft acaricide registered for honey bees on the European Union market since 2017 for Varroa control. Researchers involved were partners of different countries of the Varroa control task force of COLOSS Association. Our goal was to evaluate performances (acaricide efficacy and toxic effects on honey bees) of VarroMed® in different climatic conditions. Our results in the tested apiaries showed an efficacy ranging from 71.2 to 89.3 % in summer/autumn, and from 71.8 % to 95.6 % in winter. No toxic effects on bees were observed, except in one apiary, where severe cold climatic conditions played a crucial role. The treatment could be efficiently applied in brood right as well as in broodless colonies. Integrated pest management (IPM) recommendations for bee-keepers are provided in order to apply the best Varroa control protocol.

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Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa Destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas

Abstract

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