A series of experiments were conducted in Florida and New Jersey in 2004 and 2005 to evaluate the efficacy of a simplified Sucrocide (TM) application technique to suppress varroa mite populations, and to determine the effects of direct applications of Sucrocide (sucrose octanoate) on honey bee eggs and larvae. The simplified application technique ("spray-down") involved spraying a label-strength dilution of Sucrocide between the frame spaces of the beehives, which provided a 75.3 % reduction in the number of varroa mites in the test colonies during the late-season trial. The direct application of Sucrocide to honey bee eggs and larvae in frames from which all adult bees had been removed resulted in the complete removal of bee eggs and larvae. However, there was no detectable loss of brood when Sucrocide was applied according to label directions, and it is therefore believed that, under these circumstances, adult bees serve as an adequate protective barrier for the bee eggs and larvae. Brood patches in which bee eggs and brood were removed were re-laid with eggs by the queens within a 4-day period. The effects of the spray-down method on bee eggs and larvae were not determined, but it is likely that the results found for the label direction method would have been similar for the spray-down method.

The efficacy of a formic acid pad formulation was field tested for control of the honey bee parasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman in Florida and Texas. This pad formulation gave 39.8 +/- 11.1% control at the end of a 6-wk treatment period, which did not significantly differ from the initial sample date. Coumaphos treatment provided poor control (38.4 +/- 11.1%) over the 6-wk period, confirming reports of coumaphos resistance in the region. Under relatively warm winter conditions in southern Texas, formic acid caused mortality of developing eggs and brood. If resistance by V. destructor to the two acaricides registered for its control in the United States continues, the formic acid pad could provide an alternative compound to use as part of an integrated pest management approach. Given the low control seen in this trial, however, modifications of application technology would seem necessary.

The method of application of the antibiotic tylosin (Tylan) for control of oxytetracycline-resistant American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae White) was tested in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. A powdered sugar mixture with tylosin, applied as a dust, was efficacious in eliminating American foulbrood symptoms at a rate of 200-mg Tylan per 20 g of powdered sugar, applied at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. A second method of treatment consisting of Tylan mixed with granulated sugar and vegetable shortening and applied once as a patty, at an equivalent total dose as the dust method, to diseased colonies also effectively eliminated symptoms of disease. In all colonies treated with patties, however, small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray) populations significantly increased, compared with the powder sugar method or untreated controls. Bee populations in patty-treated colonies also were significantly reduced, most likely the result of the invasion and proliferation of adult and larval small hive beetles. Such reduction in colony strength was not seen in dust-treated colonies. Because of the obvious damaging populations of small hive beetles, concerns about development of disease resistance, unknown risks of residues, and lack of support by regulatory agencies for the use of the patty method, the use of the dust method of tylosin is greatly favored over the patty method.

The antibiotic tylosin was found to be effective in controlling oxytetracycline-resistant American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies, while not affecting adult and larval honey bee mortality. An optimal rate of 200 mg tylosin, applied in 20 g of confectioners' sugar at weekly intervals for three weeks resulted in complete remission of detectable disease symptoms 45 days after initial treatment. No detectable disease symptoms were observed seven months after treatment with this rate. Various higher doses of tylosin (600 mg and 1000 mg per 20 g confectioners' sugar) applied over three honey bee brood cycles, resulted in no significant increase in adult and larval bee mortality when compared with controls. Discussion is given as to long term American foulbrood control and tactics for resistance management.

Four populations of the honey bee parasitic mite Varroa destructor in central and southwestern Florida were tested for resistance to the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos, using a standard laboratory method. Preliminary ether rolls of randomly selected colonies in each yard resulted in up to 46 varroa per roll one year after treatment with CheckMite+(R), the formulated product containing coumaphos. Such numbers were relatively high given previous beekeeper experience with CheckMite+(R). Results of a laboratory test showed significant resistance of all four varroa populations to coumaphos. Discussion is given as to future possible management procedures for varroa control in light of a dwindling arsenal of acaricides for varroa suppression.

"Behaviour of African and European Subspecies of Apis Mellifera Toward the Small Hive Beetle, Aethina Tumida." Journal of Apicultural Research, 40(1), pp. 40–41

ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.

In hindsight we should have seen it coming. This past summer small hive beetles created honey house problems for several Florida beekeepers, We all knew that beetles were in the area and that they could destroy, small colonies by overwhelming them, sometimes by sheer weight of numbers. Even large colonies appeared vulnerable, if they were disturbed, as in a colony inspection or honey palling But beekeepers were actively controlling these pests through permethrin ground drenches in the apiary and with coumaphos traps in the colony, Things sort of seemed under control. Then, along came a nice honey flow and things got a little out of control.

Since its confirmed discovery in Florida in June 1998, the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray) has spread to honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) throughout the eastern U.S. and has been reported from several midwestern states. While it is most likely that the nature of beekeeping to migrate around the U.S. is mainly responsible for this spread, questions have arisen in the bee industry as to the control of the small hive beetle in the shipment of package bees from infested areas. In order to answer these questions, we undertook two large studies in the southeastern U.S. designed to test beetle control strategies in packages.

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, is a nitidulid species newly recorded attacking honey bees in the Western Hemisphere. We initiated field and laboratory tests on the control and biology of this new pest. Very high mortality of adult and larval A. tumida in Florida and Georgia hives resulted from field tests using 10 % coumaphos in plastic strips in trapping devices on the hive bottom: as high as 90.2 % beetle mortality occurred in hives in Florida. Adult beetles were found in the laboratory to feed on honey bee eggs, completely consuming all eggs, even in the presence of honey and pollen. Odors from hive products plus adult bees were found to be significantly attractive to flying adult beetles, as evidenced in baited trap studies. Hive products alone or bees alone were not attractive to adult A. tumida. (C) Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Paris.

Truth be told, your senior author had a bad, I mean, um, er, an unscientific attitude towards this beetle. To be blunt, I didn't believe the severity of reports coining out of Florida.