Evaluation of ecto-parasitic brood mite, Varroa destructor detection techniques and its seasonal population dynamics

Mean mite population/colony was maximum in the months of August (29.8) and May (26.0) and lowest in January (2.3)and February (2.4). Among the different methods of detection, sticky sheet was most effective (15.9 mites/colony) followed by Pettis test method (13.8) and soapy water method (10.9) while powdered sugar method (9.9) was least effective with respect to the number of mites detected. The mean V. destructor population had significant positive correlation with maximum and mean temperature with correlation values of 0.853 and 0.887 and total rainfall (r = 0.656).