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Multi-State Field Trials of Russian Honey Bees: Tracheal Mites
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Multi-State Field Trials of USDA-ARS Russian Honey Bees

Resistance to Tracheal Mites: 1999, 2000

USDA-ARS Primorsky honey bees were evaluated for their resistance to Acarapis woodi by monitoring natural infestations in colonies located in Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi.  In 1999, Primorsky colonies had lower levels of A. woodi infestation than the domestic colonies. Low tracheal mite infestations were also observed in 2000.  The 10 Primorsky queen-lines tested were all resistant to tracheal mites.  However, resistance was more pronounced in Louisiana and Mississippi wherein 0-3% infestations were recorded.  It is possible that environmental factors influenced the degree of infestation between the states and within Primorsky lines, especially in Iowa.  With careful selection, it is possible to further enhance resistance of Primorsky honey bees to tracheal mite parasitism.

Fig. 1 - Prevalence (a) and intensity (b) of A. woodi in ARS Primorsky and domestic honey bee colonies in Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi in 1999

Fig. 1 - Prevalence (a) and intensity (b) of A. woodi in USDA-ARS Primorsky and domestic honey bee colonies in Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi in 1999.

Fig. 2 - Prevalence of A. woodi in 10 lines of ARS Primorsky honey bees in Iowa (a), Louisiana (b), and Mississippi (c) in 2000. Colors were designated for each Primorsky line.

Fig. 2 - Prevalence of A. woodi in 10 lines of USDA-ARS Primorsky honey bees in Iowa (a), Louisiana (b), and Mississippi (c) in 2000.  Colors were designated for each Primorsky line.

Fig. 3 - Intensity of A. woodi in 10 lines of ARS Primorsky honey bees in Iowa (a), Louisiana (b), and Mississippi (c) in 2000. Colors were designated for each Primorsky line.

Fig. 3 - Intensity of A. woodi in 10 lines of USDA-ARS Primorsky honey bees in Iowa (a), Louisiana (b), and Mississippi (c) in 2000.  Colors were designated for each Primorsky line.

 

Reference to full article:

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L. I. DE GUZMAN, T. E. RINDERER, G. T.  DELATTE, J. A. STELZER, V. A. LANCASTER, J. L. WILLIAMS, L. D. BEAMAN, V. KUZNETSOV, M. BIGALK, S. J. BERNARD and H. TUBBS. 2001. Multi-State Field Trials of ARS Russian Honey Bees:  3.  Responses to Acarapis woodi 1999, 2000.  American Bee Journal 141:810-812.