International Journal of Acarology (2003) 29, 139-143

Jay A. Yoder and Diana Sammataro (2003)
Potential to control Varroa mites (Acari: Varroidae) using chemical ecology
International Journal of Acarology 29 (2), 139-143
Abstract: The potential of pheromone-assisted techniques for management and control of Varroa, the behavior of conspecifie mites (Varroa destructor) towards each other, and their corresponding extracts, were examined. Neither actual mites nor extracts prompted significant attraction responses or avoidance reactions that were indicative of aggregation-attachment, sex or alarm (= allomonal defense secretion) pheromone production. A mite-exposed filter paper disc covered with mite excreta, however, was highly attractive to mites and shows use of an assembly pheromone. This confirms involvement of the fecal accumulation in concentrating mites on brood cell walls between bloodmeals. Interestingly, formation of clusters at the fecal accumulation performs functional values of those pheromones that are absent. We anticipate that supplementing trap baits with guanine, the main component of mite excreta, may be useful as a control tactic. Alternatively, the lack of a defense secretion makes V. destructor vulnerable and ideal for control by introducing a mite predator.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Diana Sammataro

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Varroa destructor