A comparison of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) collection methods and survivability in in vitro rearing systems

Authors

  • Noble Isaac Iheukwumere Noble Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0620, USA
  • Charles Stuhl USDA, Center for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
  • Miles Nesbit Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
  • Rachel Woods Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0620, USA
  • James D Ellis Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0620, USA

Abstract

Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Parasitiformes: Varroidae) is an ectoparasitic pest of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.; Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies. The ability to study all life stages of the mite in a laboratory setting requires one to rear the mite in vitro. This is a crucial step for the advancement in research studies, and the development of management protocols for Varroa. Current practices require that Varroa be collected from field colonies for use in lab-based studies. Traditional collection techniques for obtaining mites from adult bees include using carbon dioxide or a method in which a combination of powdered sugar and shaking dislodges the mites from a group of adult bees (i.e., a “sugar shake”). Herein, we compared 2 mite collection techniques and measured mortality of the mites after collection using the Varroa maintenance system, a tool for maintaining in vitro populations of Varroa on their host. Our results indicate that mites collected using the sugar shake method lived significantly longer (> 6 d, with 20% mortality at 6 d) than did those collected using carbon dioxide (3.9 d, with 66% mortality at 6 d). Carbon dioxide exposure was detrimental to the recovery of Varroa. These data provide critical information on how to collect Varroa properly for use in in vitro survival studies.

Resumen

Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Parasitiformes: Varroidae) es una plaga ectoparásita de las colonias de abejas melíferas occidentales (Apis mellifera L.; Hymenoptera: Apidae). La capacidad de estudiar todos los estadios de la vida del ácaro en un entorno de laboratorio requiere la cria del ácaro in vitro. Este es un paso crucial para el avance de los estudios de investigación y el desarrollo de protocolos de manejo para Varroa. Las prácticas actuales requieren que se recolecte Varroa de colonias de campo para su uso en estudios de laboratorio. Las técnicas tradicionales de recolección para obtener ácaros de abejas adultas incluyen el uso de dióxido de carbono o un método en el que una combinación de azúcar en polvo y agitación desprende los ácaros de un grupo de abejas adultas (un “batido de azúcar”). Aquí, comparamos 2 técnicas de recolección de ácaros y medimos la mortalidad de los ácaros después de la recolección utilizando el sistema de mantenimiento de Varroa, una herramienta para mantener poblaciones in vitro de Varroa en su hospedero. Nuestros resultados indican que los ácaros recolectados usando el método de batido de azúcar vivieron significativamente más tiempo (> 6 dias, con el 20% de mortalidad a los 6 dias) que los recolectados usando dióxido de carbono (3.9 dias, con el 66% de mortalidad a los 6 dias). La exposición al dióxido de carbono fue perjudicial para la recuperación de Varroa. Estos datos proporcionan información crítica sobre cómo recolectar Varroa correctamente para su uso en estudios de sobrervivencia in vitro.

Key Words: honey bees; Varroa destructor; carbon dioxide; sugar shake

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Published

2021-05-24

Issue

Vol. 104, No. 1 (March 2021)

Section

Research Papers

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