Indian Journal of Agricultural Research
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2015
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue: 6

Comparative evaluation of sticky paper and hive debris as sampling methods for population assessment of Varroa destructor in Apis mellifera colonies

1Directorate of Research, Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, CCS HAU, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India

2Entomology, CCS HAU, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India

3Maths & Statistics, CCS HAU, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India

Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, CCS HAU, Hisar-125 004, Haryana, India

*Corresponding author's e-mail: asha.poonia@gmail.com

Online published on 5 December, 2015.

Abstract

In the present investigation, two sampling methods for V. destructor; hive debris and sticky paper method was compared year around in A. mellifera colonies to know the viable method. Between the two methods, sticky paper method was found significantlybetter (CD = 0.11; p = 0.05). More mitefallwas recorded in sticky paper method(17.58 mites/hive) than in hive debris sampling (11.41 mites/hive). Fortnightly data analysis showed two peaks of Varroa; one in second fortnight of May and other in first fortnight of July in both sampling methods. Maximum number of mites (63.27 mites/hive) was recorded in second fortnight of Mayin both sampling methodswhich wassignificantlyhigher than the mites recordedat other observation periods (CD = 0.38; p = 0.05).

Keywords

Apis mellifera, Colony strength, Hive debris, Sticky paper method, Varroa destructor