Evaluation of different artificial diets for Italian honeybee, Apis mellifera L. alongwith management of brood mite (Tropilaelaps clareae Delfinado and Baker) with essential oils
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Date
2022-08
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145
Abstract
Studies on evaluation of different artificial diets as pollen and nectar substitute alongwith management of brood mite, Tropilaelaps clareae in Apis mellifera colonies were carried out during the year 2021-2022 at G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. Eight different diets were taken as treatments with standard sugar solution and control. Such artificial diets were given within the hives and their consumption by the colonies was tested. Their effect on various attributes of the colonies viz. unsealed and sealed brood (cm2), honeybee strength (in terms of number of frames covered by the bees), and pollen and nectar stores (cm2) were recorded. Results revealed that among the various diet provided to the bees the mean consumption of 55.70 g diet, mean egg area (90.27 cm2), brood development (621.62 cm2) and pollen area (99.14 cm2), bee strength (8.23) was found maximum in colonies provided by the diet containing Brewer’s yeast + Honey + turmeric powder + fenugreek powder + A,D,E vitamins + powdered sugar + orange juice + mint oil + sugar syrup, while nectar stores were found maximum (131.46 cm2) in the diet with Sugar Solution (1:1) supplemented by vitamin C. Incidence of brood mite was checked by placing white sheet on bottom board and counting number of dead/fallen mites per hive. No mite incidence was found in colonies fed with diet containing sugar solution (1:1) + vitamin C and diet with Brewer’s yeast + honey + turmeric powder + fenugreek powder + A,D,E vitamins + powdered sugar + orange juice + mint oil + sugar syrup and sugar solution (standard). Among various essential oils used for the management for T. clareae garlic oil recorded highest mite mortality (38.99 dead/fallen mites per hive per week) followed by formic acid (31.99 dead/fallen mites per hive per week) after 21 days period. These observation lead to conclusion that diet with fenugreek flour+ turmeric powder was found to be best for feeding bees during dearth period with 66.87 per cent overall enhancement in all colony attributes and also there were no mite incidence in colonies fed with this diet which may be due to feeding diet rich in vitamins and antioxidant results in strong colony and building immunocompetence against enemies. Garlic oil was found ideal alternative to harmful chemicals with maximum efficacy of 82.62 per cent mite mortality over control among all other oils in management of mite with 24.69 per cent increase in brood area. Healthy nutrition during dearth period along with eco-friendly management practices are ideal for honeybee management.