SECONDARY COMPOUNDS OF PLANTS AND THEIR EFFECT AGAINST THE Varroa destructor MITE

Abstract

Background: The honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) represents one of the most important species in the maintenance of ecosystems, since it contributes to crop pollination, which improves crop yields and the reproduction of other plants. However, some factors such as climate change, africanization and various pathological processes, including the presence of the Varroa destructor mite, have led to a decline in A. mellifera populations. Objective: To collect scientific information on the plants used for mite control, as well as the organic derivatives and secondary compounds with bioacaricidal potential used for such control. Main findings: Due to the fact that infestations of this mite have become a major problem, numerous control methods have been developed and tested, mainly based on synthetic acaricides; however, these have generated disadvantages such as the development of resistance and contamination of products such as honey and pollen. Implications: Therefore, it is necessary to implement an organic, environmentally friendly control method that reduces mite populations without developing resistance, and that does not generate contamination of hive sub-products. Conclusions: In general, the most common types of extracts tested were essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts, which reported mortality ranging from 26.4 to 99.5% on V. destructor. Likewise, some species of plants endemic to Matorral Espinoso Tamaulipeco (MET) have been tested against other arthropods and that could be an important source of components that act as acaricides; however, it is necessary to identify and analyze the secondary compounds, as well as the molecules and their activity on V. destructor.

Keywords

• biopesticidas
• varroa destructor
• abejas
• sanidad.