Managed Pollinator CAPCoordinated Agricultural ProjectAssessing Varroacide Toxicity To Worker And Queen Honey Bees

摘要

Varroa destructor changed the way beekeepers see pesticides. After introduction to the United States in 1987, varroacides (pesticides) quickly became necessary to prevent catastrophic colony losses (Ellis, 2001). Beekeepers first fought Varroa with apyrethroid, tau-fluvalinate (Mavrik & Apistan). Mavrik registered under a Section 18 label (emergency use label issued on a state by state basis) in 1987 and Apistan under Section 3 (nationwide approval, full registration) in 1990. When Varroa developedresistance to tau-fluvalinate, an organophosphate coumaphos (CheckMite), proved effective and was registered for use in beehives in 1999. Again, beekeepers widely adopted the new chemical and Varroa developed resistance by 2001. The octopaminergic agonist, amitraz, was briefly available to beekeepers (section 18) from 1992-1994 as Miticur. It recently received section 3 registration in selected U.S. states and is available as Apivar. Some populations of Varroa exhibited resistance to amitraz as early as 2000. Both fenpyroximate and thymol became available in 2007. To date, Varroa does not exhibit resistance to the mitochondrial inhibitor, fenpyroximate (no longer available) or the essential oil thymol.