Browsing by Author "Roth, Morgan A."
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- Biology and Management of Small Hive Beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae): A Pest of European Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) ColoniesRoth, Morgan A.; Wilson, James M.; Gross, Aaron D. (Oxford University Press, 2022-01-01)Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray) control has become an issue of increasing importance for North American apiculturists throughout the past two decades. Aethina tumida was discovered in Florida in 1989, presumably transported from its native habitat of sub-Saharan Africa through the shipment of European honey bee (Apis mellifera L) queens. Estimates of damage from A. tumida were as high as $3 million annually in the United States by the year 2004, and A. tumida was found in nearly every state by 2008. When adult beetles emerge from pupation in soil surrounding the hive, they are attracted to A. mellifera hives through a variety of pheromones and volatile organic compounds from bees and hive products. Aethina tumida larvae and adults consume hive products and bee brood, generating fermenting waste (or slime), which can eventually lead to hive abandonment in cases of severe infestation. Pest management efforts for A. tumida have focused on trapping adults, applying lime, diatomaceous earth, pyrethroid soil drenches, and entomopathogenic nematodes to the soil surrounding A. mellifera hives. Understanding the biology and life history of A. tumida, along with current control methods, can aid apiculturists in making informed integrated pest management decisions. Additionally, understanding critical knowledge gaps in the current research is an important step in identifying promising future management tactics in the ongoing efforts to manage this invasive pest.
- Biology and Management of Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) ColoniesRoth, Morgan A.; Wilson, James M.; Tignor, Keith R.; Gross, Aaron D. (Oxford University Press, 2020)Varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) infestation of European honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies has been a growing cause of international concern among beekeepers throughout the last 50 yr. Varroa destructor spread from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana Fabricius [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) to A. mellifera populations in Europe in the 1970s, and subsequently traveled to the Americas. In addition to causing damage through feeding upon lipids of larval and adult bees, V. destructor also facilitates the spread of several viruses, with deformed wing virus being most prevalent. Several sampling methods have been developed for estimating infestation levels of A. mellifera colonies, and acaricide treatments have been implemented. However, overuse of synthetic acaricides in the past has led to widespread acaricide resistant V. destructor populations. The application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques is a more recent development in V. destructor control and is suggested to be more effective than only using pesticides, thereby posing fewer threats to A. mellifera colonies. When using IPM methods, informed management decisions are made based upon sampling, and cultural and mechanical controls are implemented prior to use of acaricide treatments. If acaricides are deemed necessary, they are rotated based on their mode of action, thus avoiding V. destructor resistance development.
- Small hive beetleRoth, Morgan A.; Gross, Aaron D.; Wilson, James M. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019)Provides details about small hive beetle biology, which is a crucial part of identification and treatment, along with popular small hive beetle control methods
- Varroa Mite Biology and Feeding DamageRoth, Morgan A.; Gross, Aaron D.; Wilson, James M. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019-09-12)Describes Varroa Mites, their biology, and negative impacts on honey bees.
- Varroa Mite Management MethodsRoth, Morgan A.; Gross, Aaron D.; Wilson, James M. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019-09-12)Describes treatment methods for combating Varroa mite infestations by following an integrated pest management plan.
- Varroa Mite Sampling MethodsRoth, Morgan A.; Gross, Aaron D.; Wilson, James M. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2019-09-12)Discusses methods for sampling hives for Varroa mites.