Evaluation of early summer splits on varroa mite reduction and colony productivity
| Author(s) | Evans, Kathleen Ciola | |
| Date Accessioned | 2015-12-08T12:53:39Z | |
| Date Available | 2015-12-08T12:53:39Z | |
| Publication Date | 2015 | |
| Abstract | Beekeeping is continuing to gain popularity across the country, but since 2006 beekeepers have suffered a 20 - 33% annual bee colony loss. Colony decline is not linked to one factor, but evidence shows that the varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is one of the primary causes behind the decline. The apiary community has explored a variety of pest management practices to reduce varroa mite infestations, but few practices have yielded long term success as stand-alone treatments. We conducted a study to test the efficacy that splitting a colony into two (parent colony and daughter colony) will have on varroa mite reductions and the long term survival of a colony. Our results showed that the timing of a split during the season, early summer through fall, is critical to long term reductions in varroa mites and increased colony survival. Based upon the strong correlations we found between bee populations, brood area and varroa mite numbers in mid-late summer, we predict that late summer splits will produce the best results. Based upon data collected from 2012 and 2013, a citizen science field study was launched in summer 2014 to test the managerial efficacy of splitting colonies among hobbyist and small scale beekeepers including the costs and time required to split a colony. | en_US |
| Advisor | Delaney, Deborah A. | |
| Degree | M.S. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.58088/jna7-9698 | |
| Unique Identifier | 931675688 | |
| URL | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/17275 | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | http://search.proquest.com/docview/1716382276?accountid=10457 | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Varroa. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Bees -- Parasites -- Control. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Bee culture. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Beehives. | |
| Title | Evaluation of early summer splits on varroa mite reduction and colony productivity | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |