Apidologie 28 (1997) 91-96
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19970206

Fluvalinate content of Apistan^® strips during treatment and efficacy in colonies containing sealed worker brood

P. Cabras^a, I. Floris^b, V.L. Garau^a, M. Melis^a and R. Prota<sup>b

a</sup>  Dipartimento di Tossicologia, Università di Cagliari, Viale A Diaz 182, 09126 Cagliari
^b  Istituto di Entomologia agraria, Università di Sassari, Via E De Nicola, 07100 Sassari, Italy

Abstract - Over the last few years, some studies were carried out in Sardinia (Italy) on improving varroosis management in colonies containing sealed worker brood using Apistan. The fluvalinate content in plastic strips remained almost constant during the 10 weeks of treatment. No significant differences between initial (11.5 + 0.6%) and terminal (10.7 + 0.3%) fluvalinate concentration were observed, indicating that removal by the bees was very small and the active ingredient strip dosage more than sufficient to control the varroosis. Apistan application in apiary confirmed an efficacy of over 99%. Most of the mite mortality (> 97%) occurred during the first 4 weeks.

Key words: fluvalinate / persistence / plastic strips / Apistan / chemical control / varroosis / sealed worker brood