Evaluation of Quassia amara as a treatment against varroosis in three apiaries in the municipality of León, Nicaragua

Abstract

Here is the English translation of your text: An experimental study was conducted in three apiaries under the same physical and environmental conditions to evaluate the efficacy of an aqueous extract of Quassia amara as a treatment against Varroa destructor. The study involved five treatment groups: Hive ST (no treatment) served as the control, and four hives were treated with Quassia amara extract at different concentrations: Hive A: mother solution (M) 100% (1 kg of raw material per 10 L of water); Hive B: dilution I = one part of the mother solution plus four parts of water (20%); Hive C: dilution II = one part of dilution I plus one part of water (10%); Hive D: dilution III = one part of dilution II plus one part of water (5%). Six spray applications were carried out at four-day intervals. Infestation rates were assessed by counting the parasitic load on adult bees from each hive, and samples were collected at the time of the first, third, and last applications, as well as 21 days after the final application. The extent of brood invasion was determined during the first and last applications, and again 21 days later. In total, 60 adult bee samples were analyzed, each consisting of 150 to 200 specimens, along with 45 fragments of capped brood combs measuring 10x10 cm.It was found that dilution I was the most effective against mites on adult bees, with the best result observed in the fourth week after the beginning of treatment (efficacy = 62%), while for brood, the most effective was dilution IV (efficacy = 23.10%). Quassia amara presents a promising alternative for potential future integration into the measures used by beekeepers to manage varroosis. The data collected will contribute to the development of a control program for this disease.