Bee Studies 2012, Vol 4, Num, 1     (Pages: 023-026)

The Effective of Varroa (varroa destructor) Population Level on Wintering Ability and Survival Rates of None-treated Honeybee Colonies in Trace Region

Devrim OSKAY 1 ,Metin KOCAMAN 1 ,Zeynep ÇOLAK 1 ,Sinan HACIOĞLU 1 ,Ömer Sefa ÖZÇOBAN 1 ,Onur Görkem AKYOL 1 ,Mehmet ORHAN 1

1 Namık Kemal Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi / Tekirdağ Viewed : 1602 - Downloaded : 726 The development of Varroa destructor population dynamics in none-treated honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies was monitored from October 2011 to March 2012 in Trace region, Turkey. A correlation between the mite infestation level, the colony wintering ability and survival rates was evaluated. Sticky boards were placed on the bottom boards of each colony to collect fallen mites. Infestation of Varroa in adults was measured ones a week during the winter. The condition of the colonies was evaluated by measuring the amount of adult bees. Our results consistently showed that fallen mite level in autumn significantly higher than winter in all colony`s sticky boards (P<0.001). We found that fallen mite level significantly different among colonies in the autumn and winter time (P<0.001). Survival rate of wintering colonies is %76,4. High level wintering ability of colonies showed that low fallen mite level on sticky boards. Keywords : Varroa, honeybee, overwintering, Survival Rates, Wintering Ability