Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXIV, Issue 1
Written by Alexandru Ioan GIURGIU, Adela Ramona MOISE, Claudia PASCA, Daniel Severus DEZMIREAN
Over the last few years, the honeybees faced a significant decline worldwide. Despite many biotic and abiotic stressors, one of the leading causes of honeybee colony loses is Varroa destructor, followed by Nosema spp.. Given the importance of honeybee in agriculture and a significantly increased resistance to treatments identified in Varroa destructor, a more sustainable method to counter this mite is needed. One of these sustainable methods is breeding for resistance to Varroa destructor. Due to the rising number of honeybee populations with potential resistance to Varroa destructor, a new promising breeding plan for natural selection was proposed. This breeding plan was adapted and implemented on a local population of honey bees in Transilvania, with the primary objective of obtaining resistant colonies to Varroa destructor. Development of these colonies was observed, and analysis of Varroa infestation level and Nosema spp. was performed to assess the health status of the population or the cause of mortality.
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