Evaluación de la conducta higiénica de Apis mellífera y su relación del nivel infestación de varroa destructor en la zona centro de Ecuador

Abstract

In sixteen apiaries in Chimborazo and Tungurahua Province and the Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology in the Animal Science Faculty, it was evaluated the Apis mellifera hygienic behavior and its relation with the infestation level of Varroa destructor in the center area. The hygienic behavior evaluation was made through Punch Method drilling a hundred cells after After a period of 24 hours the free cells of cadavers of bees larvae were verified, to the rate the infestation Varroa destructor mite was taken some bees samples in sterilized plastics jars in the lab to realized the David De Jong test (1979) honey production was assessed by recording each producer. The verification of the hypothesis was achieved through orthogonal contrasts, the separation of measures is applied according to Tukey (P 0,05) and (P 0,01). The hygienic behavior presented statistical differences by the effect of the hometowns of the apiaries getting better hygiene behavior in Chimborazo apiary 8 (94,5%) and the less hygiene behavior was observed in Chimborazo 16 (52,10%). The relation Varroa destructor presented statistical differences by the effect of the hometowns of the apiaries getting obtained a significant infestation on Tungurahua apiary 4 (9,71%) and a less outbreak in Chimborazo apiary 8 (0,42%) The honey production presented statistical differences too by the effect of the hometowns of the apiaries obtained a better output in the Tungurahua apiary 1 (32,2 kg/apiary/year) and a less honey production in Chimborazo apiary 8 (12,6 kg/apiary/year). A recommendation to the beekeepers is applied "Beekeeping Improvement Plan" based on improved management including the test of hygienic behavior and the use of records.