Monoterpenoids as possible control agents for Varroa destructor.
Author(s)
C Fassbinder, J Grodnitzky, J Coats
Abstract
The use of plant-derived monoterpenoids for control of Varroa destructor, a destructive ectoparasite of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, was investigated in laboratory bioassays and autumn field treatments. Twelve monoterpene derivatives were analysed through fumigation bioassays. Linalyl acetate, (R)-myrtenyl acetate, (S)-perillyl acetate, and thymyl acetate exhibited high toxicities toward V. destructor (mean LCso = 0.05) and significantly lower toxicities toward A. mellifera (mean LCso = 0.95). Due to their demonstration of species-selective toxicity, these four acetates were chosen for field trials. In the field trials, all four monoterpenoidtreated groups were statistically significantly different from the control group in reduction of V.destructor infestation, yielding a 51-64% reduction of V.destructor when compared with the control group.
