Casey L. Johnson
Elizabeth M. Varkonyi
Howard Ginsberg
Kassie Picard
Mattew Kiesewetter
Steven R. Alm
Julia Vieira
2022
<p class="chapter-para">Resistance to traditional synthetic compounds by<span> </span><i>Varroa destructor</i><span> </span>Anderson and Trueman and shortcomings of the organic acid class of acaracides commonly used in varroa management requires continual development of new controls.<span> </span><i>V. destructor</i>, however, are difficult to obtain for use in control bioassays because they are obligate parasites that cannot be easily reared outside of a honey bee colony. We conducted bioassays using other, more easily obtainable species to find organisms that could be used as surrogates for<span> </span><i>V. destructor</i><span> </span>when testing new potential controls. We compared the toxicities of acetic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, and oxalic acid at 0.005%, 0.05%, 0.5%, 5%, and 50% (20% oxalic acid only) concentrations based on natural volatility (nonheated) for the control of two beetle species,<span> </span><i>Oryzaephilus surinamensis</i><span> </span>L. and<span> </span><i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i><span> </span>Panzer, greater wax moth larvae,<span> </span><i>Galleria mellonella</i><span> </span>L., and<span> </span><i>V. destructor</i>. The assay results were consistent across all species with formic acid and acetic acid showing 100% mortality of all four test species at 50% concentration. The assays also provided insight into the method of application (vaporization or contact) needed to cause mortality. Our results show that other organisms can be used in place of<span> </span><i>V. destructor</i><span> </span>for initial testing of acids and possibly other chemicals for control of the ectoparasite.</p>
application/pdf
10.1093/jee/toac120
en
Entomological Society of America
Using surrogate insects in acid bioassays for development of new controls for Varroa destructor (Arachnida: Varroidae)
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