title: Efficacy of formic acid in gel for Varroa control in Apis mellifera L.: importance of the dispenser position inside the hive.
abstract: The efficacy of formic acid in a gel matrix was evaluated in two groups of honeybee colonies. In Group 1, a dispenser with 120 g of formic acid (70%) in gel was placed on the brood combs and another dispenser with the same dose was located on the hive bottom (total dose, 240 g). Group 2 received two doses of 240 g of formic acid (70%) in gel and each application was applied in two dispensers containing 120 g of the formic acid solution each and they were located over the brood chamber (total dose, 480 g). In Group 2, the period between both applications was 15 days, and the efficacies after the first and both applications were calculated. Significant differences were registered for final efficacy between both groups. When final efficacy of Group 1 was compared with efficacy after first application of Group 2, significant differences were found (P=0.0005). Same doses in different positions within the hive have different final efficacy. The higher efficacy was registered when the dispensers were placed over brood combs and on the hive bottom. It is suggested that efficacy is related to dispenser position within the hive.
authors.affiliation: CONICET, Dpto. Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina. meguaras@mdp.edu.ar
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eguaras
authors.forename: Maria Alejandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Palacio
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Faverin
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basualdo
authors.forename: Marcelo Luis
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Del Hoyo
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velis
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bedascarrasbure
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001516:Bees / Q000469:parasitology*; D003372:Coumaphos; D005561:Formates; D005782:Gels; D007306:Insecticides; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008925:Mites; D013983:Tick Control / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D005561:Formates; D005782:Gels; D007306:Insecticides; C030544:formic acid; D003372:Coumaphos