U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Meikle, Williamitem
                                            MERCARDIER, G - EBCLitem
                                            HOLST, N - DANISH INSTITUE OF AGitem
                                            NANSEN, C - EXOSECT LTDitem
                                            GIROD, V - ADAPRO LR-CRALR
  Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2006
                                    Publication  Date: 2/1/2007
                                    Citation: Meikle, W.G., Mercardier, G., Holst, N., Nansen, C., Girod, V. 2007. Duration and spread of an entomopathogenic fungus used to treat varroa mites in honeybee hives. Journal of Economic Entomology 100: 1-10.Interpretive Summary: Varroa mites are one of the most important pests of honeybees worldwide and beekeepers are very interested in new ways to treat varroa infestations.  In this study we used a strain of fungus, that we had previously found attacking varroa mites in a commercial apiary in France, to treat beehives in two field experiments.  The percentage of mites infected with the fungus was much higher than the control hives after treatment, and remained higher for at least two weeks, but the number of mites that fell per day was not significantly different between treated hives and control hives.  Although further work will be needed to improve the mite kill by the fungus, commercial and hobby beekeepers should benefit from a new, chemical-free way to kill varroa mites.
                                Technical Abstract: A strain of Beauveria bassiana isolated from varroa mites was used to treat bees against varroa mites in southern France.  Fungal treatment was associated with a considerable increase in the percentage of infected varroa mites over baseline levels in two field experiments.  The percentage of infected varroa mites also increased in the nontreated (control) hives, suggesting a movement of conidia, probably via bee drift, among the hives. However, the mite fall, measured using sticky boards placed under the hives, was not significantly different between treated hives and control hives. Live bees were sampled from within the hive and washed to determine the density of fungal colony-forming units (cfu) on their bodies.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov