J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 192-224, 2016 http://www.innspub.net RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS Varroa destructor in Alborz province (2013-2015) and mating behavior under laboratory and contamination level of bees colonies with Varroa destructor in Karajs apiaries Shakib Vaziritabar1*, Assadolah Aghamirkarimi2, Sayed Mehdi Esmaeilzade3 1Department of Animal Science, Islamic Azad University Varamin, Pishva Branch, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Entomology Science, Islamic Azad University Varamin, Pishva Branch, Tehran, Iran 3The Professional Instructor of Culturing Honey Bee, Number 2, Zibadasht, Karaj, Iran Article published on January 26, 2016 Key words: Varroa destructor, Mating behavior, contamination, Alborz. Abstract The present study aimed to evaluation of the contamination level of bees᾽ colonies with Varroa destructor in different Karaj᾽s apiaries and analyze the mites’ mating behavior under laboratory. In order to analyze the mites’ mating behavior and the involved cues, a new bioassay was designed and the male behavior towards different female stages compared. This bioassay represents a simple tool for behavioral observations of Varroa destructor in the laboratory, showing that Reproduction of female Varroa destructor happens within the sealed brood cell of the honeybee host. The mating represents the last step of the reproductive cycle and is usually performed between the mature male offspring and one or more daughter mites. In a laboratory bioassay, we observed interactions among offspring of a Varroa female at 11 days after host cell capping in the absence and in the presence of the sex pheromone and clearly demonstrated that male mites were not able to distinguish between receptive daughters and either older or immature. We first present a general view on the biology of the Varroa mite with special emphasis on host–parasite interactions during reproduction of the female mite. The pathology section describes host damage at the individual and colony level including the problem of transmission of secondary infections by the mite. Knowledge of both the biology and the pathology of Varroa mites are essential for understanding possible tolerance mechanisms in the honey bee host. Average apiaries infection to Varroa destructor 29.7% and most infections were seen in spring season. *Corresponding Author: Shakib Vaziritabar [email protected] 192 | Vaziritabar et al. J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Introduction bee mite Varroa destructor is still the greatest threat The present study aimed to evaluation of the for apiculture. No other pathogen has had a contamination level of bees colonies with Varroa comparable impact on both beekeeping and honey destructor in different Karaj᾽s apiaries and analyze bee research during the long history of apiculture. the mites’ mating behavior under laboratory. In order There are several reasons for this unique status of to analyze the mites’ mating behavior and the Varroa mites: (a). Varroa destructor is a new parasite involved cues, a new bioassay was designed and the of the honey bee A. mellifera. Therefore, a balanced male behavior towards different female stages host–parasite relationship is lacking and beekeepers compared. This bioassay represents a simple tool for do not have long-term experience in dealing with this behavioral observations of Varroa destructor in the pest, (b). Without periodic treatment, most of the laboratory, showing that Reproduction of female honey bee colonies in temperate climates would Varroa destructor happens within the sealed brood collapse within a 2–3 year period, (c). Regular cell of the honeybee host. The aim of this survey was, treatments increase the costs for beekeeping and the therefore, to investigate the presence of the two most risk of chemical residues in bee products, (d). The economically important honeybee virus and parasite Varroa mite is considered a crucial factor in the to determine their distribution in 16 cities in Karaj᾽s decreasing numbers of beekeepers and honey bee apiaries. Within the scope of the present research, colonies in Europe and Asia; together with the three objectives were targeted: (a). Evaluation of worldwide decline of natural pollinators, the Varroa contamination level of bees colonies with Varroa mite may exacerbate future problems for pollination destructor in different Karaj᾽s apiaries in Iranian (De la Rua et al., 2009). beehives, (b).Biology and control Varroa destructor and analyze the mites’ mating behavior under Using sustainable methods to control or even laboratory and field conditions, (c). Census of natural eradicate this parasite will re- establish wild and feral mortality rate caused by parasite in each colony, pollinator populations, ease the plight of beekeepers, separately. promote economically important pollination dependent agriculture and benefit natural Honeybees are an extremely important part of the ecosystems. For this ideal to be realized, however, a natural ecosystem because they help to maintain strong and sustained research effort is needed to biodiversity and enhance agricultural productivity by produce the understanding necessary for an efficient providing valuable pollination services, based on the and sustainable control strategy against this most ecological principal of mutual interactions between important of honey bee parasites. pollinated plants and pollinators (Delaplane and Mayer, 2000, Gallai et al., 2008). Factors that may The varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is the most contribute to honeybee diseases and mortality include serious pest of honey bee colonies worldwide. This pathogenic microorganisms (Cox-Foster et al., 2007, parasite was first detected in North Carolina in 1990. De Miranda and Genersch, 2010). Parasite diseases Since the contact between varroa and A. mellifera, such as varroa mites of honeybees are found serious problems have been experienced worldwide in worldwide and may result in significant economic apiculture. Varroa destructor is considered to be the losses, manifested by colony losses, reduced yields of major pest of honey bees since it spread to A. honey and bee products, and reduced pollination mellifera. Recent studies have confirmed its efficiency, resulting in poor quality and reduced yields substantial contribution to honey bee losses across of agricultural products. Little is known about and the Northern hemisphere (Brodschneider et al., 2010, there is no literature pertaining to the prevalence of Chauzat et al., 2010, Dahle, 2010, Genersch et al., honeybee mites in Alborz. The hemophagous honey 2010, Guzman-Novoa et al., 2010, Topolska et al., 193 | Vaziritabar et al. J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 2010, Vanengelsdorp et al., 2011). No satisfactory research is a challenge for all scientists working in the solution for its control has, however, yet been found, fields of apiculture, insect pathology and acarology. and it has become clear that the development of We will present a general view on the biology of the enduring sustainable control measures will not Varroa mite with special emphasis on recent results happen until we have a better understanding of the on host parasite interactions, breeding honey bees for fundamental biology of the parasite. Such solutions tolerance, and treatment for Varroa infestation. are necessary to ensure the future of the economically most viable pollinator species in a context of The Varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is one of the worldwide pollinator decline. threats to managed honey bee colonies. Elevated colony losses reported from the USA, Europe, the This mite is one of the factors associated with the Middle East and Japan are related to high mite unprecedented loss of honey bee colonies recently infection (Neumann and Carreck, 2010). V. experienced in parts of Europe and North America destructor, the new species is represented by mites of (Vanengelsdorp et al., 2008 and Rosenkranz et al., the Japan/Thailand- Vietnam clade. Mites of Korean 2003). Recent studies suggest that V. destructor may haplotype parasitize A. mellifera worldwide, and are be so harmful to honey bees not only because of its significantly larger and reproductively isolated from feeding on the bee's hemolymph, but also because it the V. jacobsoni haplotypes (Anderson and Trueman, transmits and favors the multiplication of honey bee 2000). The Korean type has worldwide spread on A. viruses. Increases in the incidence and levels of melllifera, while the Japanese/Thailand type has only several honey bee viruses have been observed with V. been reported from A. mellifera colonies in Japan, destructor as an inducer/or vector of several viruses Thailand and North- and South-America (Anderson (Genersch et al., 2010). Since then, commercial and Trueman, 2000, De Guzman et al., 1998, Garrido transportation of colonies and natural spread has et al., 2003; Muñoz et al., 2008). Therefore, the only resulted in a cosmopolitan distribution of Varroa mite of economic importance is V. destructor, which destructor, which has had dramatic consequences for successfully shifted from the original host, A. cerana both managed and wild populations of A. mellifera. to the Western honey bee, A. mellifera. The details of In contrast, V. destructor can reproduce on both male the host shift are unclear. Most likely this shift and female brood of A. mellifera, thus attaining a occurred when A. mellifera colonies were transported longer reproductive season and larger mite