Medina Flores, Carlos Aurelio; Guzmán Novoa, Ernesto; Hamiduzzaman, Mollah; Aréchiga Flores, Carlos Fernando; López Carlos, Marco Antonio
Resumen:
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies of African and
European descent were compared for levels of Varroa destructor
infestation in 3 different ecological regions in Mexico. The 300 colonies
that were studied were located in subtropical, temperate sub-humid,
and temperate dry climates. The morphotype and mitotype of adult bees
as well as their rates of infestation by varroa mites were determined.
Additionally, the number of combs with brood and covered with bees
was recorded for each colony. The highest frequency of colonies
that were classified as African-derived was found in the subtropical
environment, whereas the lowest occurred in the temperate dry region.
Overall, the colonies of African genotype had significantly lower mite
infestation rates (3.5 ± 0.34%) than the colonies of European genotype
(4.7 ± 0.49%) regardless of the region sampled. Significant effects
of genotype and region on Varroa infestation rates were evident, and
there were no differences in bee population or capped brood betweengenotypes. Mite infestation levels were significantly lower in the
colonies of the temperate dry region than in the colonies of the other
2 regions. These results are discussed within the context of results
from studies that were previously conducted in Brazil. This is the first
study that demonstrates the effects of Africanization and ecological
environment on V. destructor infestation rates in honey bee colonies in
North America.