Varroa destructor parasitosis represents the most serious threat to honeybee health. The parasite causes damage to the host, which undermines its survival. Controlling infestation levels through drug treatment becomes a critical process for a colony. In this study, we verified the acaricidal efficacy of two essential oils (Citrus limon and Citrus bergamia) that, in previous laboratory tests performed by residual contact toxicity tests, have shown good toxicity toward Varroa. Bergamot and Lemon essential oils returned, at the highest concentration used in the field, an average percentage of Varroa neutralization of 40.3 and 50.7%, respectively. Advanced formulations that allow the gradual and controlled release of essential oil over time are needed to increase acaricidal efficacy.
Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applied to Beekeeping: Semi-Field and Field Tests Against Varroa destructor, Using Essential Oil of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and Lemon (Citrus limon)
Roberto Bava;Ernesto PALMA
;Stefano Ruga;Carmine Lupia;Mariangela Marrelli;Vincenzo Musella;Domenico Britti;fabio castagna
2025-01-01
Abstract
Varroa destructor parasitosis represents the most serious threat to honeybee health. The parasite causes damage to the host, which undermines its survival. Controlling infestation levels through drug treatment becomes a critical process for a colony. In this study, we verified the acaricidal efficacy of two essential oils (Citrus limon and Citrus bergamia) that, in previous laboratory tests performed by residual contact toxicity tests, have shown good toxicity toward Varroa. Bergamot and Lemon essential oils returned, at the highest concentration used in the field, an average percentage of Varroa neutralization of 40.3 and 50.7%, respectively. Advanced formulations that allow the gradual and controlled release of essential oil over time are needed to increase acaricidal efficacy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
