Studi effettuati in Nuova Zelanda mostrano che lo scorpionide Chelifer cancroides (ordine Pseudoscorpionides), è in grado di predare la varroa.
E’ previsto che soli 25 Chelifer per alveare possono essere in grado di tenere sotto controllo la popolazione della varroa, predando il parassita senza danneggiare sia le api adulte, che le loro larve.
Di seguito il riferimento bibliografico
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
Varroa management in small bites
L. L. Fagan
W. R. Nelson
E. D. Meenken
B. G. Howlett
M. K. Walker
B. J. Donovan
First published: 13 September 2011
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2011.01666.x
Cited by: 6
Warrick R. Nelson (corresponding author), Plant and Food Research, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand. E‐mail:
warrick.nelson@plantandfood.o.nz
Abstract
Chelifers (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpionida), also known as pseudoscorpions, have been reported to be beneficial honeybee hive generalist pest predators for over
100 years and are occasionally noted by beekeepers in their hives. We collected chelifers within or closely associated with beehives in New Zealand. Under video observation conditions, they
predated upon varroa mites while studiously ignoring bee larvae. Varroa mites reproduce at exponential rates during the spring season, and current chemical miticides rely on single treatments
aiming for at least 90% control. An alternate strategy, removal of mites at a rate matching their reproductive capacity, although mathematically obvious, fails unless a suitable biological
control agent is available. Our observations build on over 100 years of sporadic work to provide further evidence that chelifers show clear potential to be a suitable predator for varroa
management in beehives. Approximately 25 chelifers can be expected to manage varroa populations in a single hive.