Coordination in Europe of research on integrated control of Varroa mites in honey bee colonies

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 97.0341

Key words (English)

Apis mellifera; Varroa jacobsoni; integrated control; pest management

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: FAIR5-CT97-3686

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 4.3 Biomedical/Health research

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Milchwirtschaft FAM

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Agricultural Research Center of Finland (FIN), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (S), Danish Institute of Agricultural Science (DK), Hessische Landesanstalt für Tierzucht (D), Freie Universität Berlin (D), Landesanstalt für Bienenkunde Universität Hohenheim (D), Tierhygienisches Institut Freiburg (D), Wageningen Agricultural University (NL), Research Center of Insect Pollination and Beekeeping Hilvarenbeek (NL), INRA Avignon (FR), Università degli Studi di Udine (I), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Venezie (I), Istituto Nazionale Apicoltura Bologna (I), Centro Apicola Regional Guadalajara (E)

Abstract (English)

The main objective of this EU-project was the co-ordination of applied research on integrated control of the parasite Varroa jacobsoni in honey bee colonies. Guidelines have been developed fir testing of natural substances like organic acids and essential oils for efficiency against the mites as well as for toxicity against the bees In the research programme the application of oxalic acid by trickling was developed for different European regions. Thanks to this collaboration, the research input of our institute in the case of oxalic acid was reduced considerably and an earlier introduction of this method was possible. There was also an exchange of know-how and experience on the use of essential oils and biotechnical method for Varroa control.

Different treatment concepts were developed for southern, central and northern Europe. Test are running to, verify their practical applications. A literature database on Varroa jacobsoni was elaborated. Discussions with representatives of the beekeeping community and government representatives, responsible for bee disease regulation, showed that more research and consultant efforts are needed to successfully introduce the integrated treatment concepts in practical beekeeping. Although quite a few problems remain to be solved, the EU-project has come to an end. The participants have decided to maintain the network and to continue the collaboration. A next meeting will be organized in Bern Switzerland.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 97.0341