engleski

Summer brood interruption as effective and sustainable varroosis control

Varroosis is caused by parisitic mite Varroa destructor. It causes major economic losses worldwide to the beekeeping sector, so it is necessary to regularly monitor and control mite infestation levels in honeybee colonies. The V. destructor mite contributes to weakening and immunosuppresion of colonies what can increase the susceptibility to other diseases. Despite the existence of many control measures, there is a need for implementation of new management practices that would be based on adopting specific biotechnical methods in combination with soft acaricides treatment. One health approach requires achieving a reduction in the V. destructor mites number, and at the same time ensure safe production of honey and other honeybee products which are food for humans. Brood interruption consists of various methods that artificially stop the queen egg laying and consequently induce the absence of brood during summer months. This is increasing the anti-varroa treatments efficiency. Experience acquired from seasonal brood interruption studies showed that queen caging with combined oxalic acid treatment presents an effective treatment. As efficiency of same treatment vary in different geographical areas and pastures, for first time it is implemented during chestnut pasture, in continental part of Croatia. This way of integrated pest management can be successfully implemented in studied area, but it is necessary to pay attention on satisfactory natural food sources to enable development of strong bees population which will survive the winter.

honeybee colony, Varroa destructor, summer brood interruption, oxalic acid, integrated pest managment

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