Uso dietético de Rosmarinus officinalis como alternativa natural para reduzir a varroose em Apis mellifera

Suplementação com óleo essencial para o controle de ácaros

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effect of using Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil for the control of Varroa destructor. Previously, the subspecies of Apis mellifera to which the studied colonies belonged was identified by phylogenetic inference. Forty experimental units were prepared, each consisting of a nucleus hive with the following characteristics: a) three brood frames, b) one food frame, c) one kilogram of bees, and d) a fertilized queen (two months old). The experimental units were divided into four groups, each receiving different concentrations of rosemary essential oil (0, 5, 10, and 20%) added to 200 g of protein food. The percentage of Varroa mite infestation, quantification of fallen mites, protein food consumption, and hygienic behavior were measured. Significant differences were found in varroosis incidence (P=0.033), associated with mite count (P=0.012), demonstrating the efficacy of treatments with rosemary oil, without affecting protein food consumption (P=0.067). This indicates that the use of rosemary essential oil could be a control method with potential as a safe acaricide. Keywords: Essential oils, Acaricide, Safety, Rosemary.