Detection of the high risk pyrethroid resistant Varroa destructor mites in apiaries of the Warmia-Mazury province in Poland.
BACKGROUND
The aim of our current study was to investigate the possible occurence of pyrethroid (taufluvalinate) resistant Varroa mites infestations in 24 randomly chosen apiaries of Warmia-Mazury province of northeast Poland.


METHODS
The methodology used for the analysis of resistant Varroa strains strictly followed the protocol described by Milani.


RESULTS
We identified 3 apiaries that were infested with high risk pyrethroid resistance mites and a further 9 apiaries that were free from this resitance. The brood samples collected from the remaining apiaries did not contain sufficient numbers of parasites to enable us to properly perform the assay.


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding that 25% of the tested brood samples showed a high risk of fully pyrethroid resistant Varroa mite contamination indicates that resistant Varroa may become wide spread in apiaries in Poland. Interestingly these high risk resistant mites were found in honeybee colonies with low levels of Varroa infestation, with an average rate of 2.16%. We also discuss the role of amitraz (amidine) in the phenomenon of Varroa resistance to pyrethroids.
Lipiński
Zbigniew
Z
Specialistic Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Biolab, Grunwaldzka Str. 62, 14-100 Ostr6da, Poland Lipinski@sprint.com.pl
Szubstarski
Jarosław
J
Szubstarska
Dagna
D
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000469:parasitology*; D007305:Insecticide Resistance; D007306:Insecticides; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites / Q000145:classification; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011722:Pyrethrins; D013045:Species Specificity; D014052:Toluidines
D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D014052:Toluidines; C014983:amitraz