Development of IPM Module of Varroa destructor Infesting Apis mellifera in Kashmir

The studies on the “Development of IPM Module of Varroa destructor infesting Apis mellifera in Kashmir” were carried out in an apiary near the vicinity of SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar during the year 2008 and 2009. The studies on the assessment of damage caused by Varroa destructor revealed that mean mortality of worker brood was 36.80 per cent in case of bees inoculated with 5-mites per bee followed by 29.09 and 19.78 per cent at 3 and 1-mite infestation level during the spring season 2008 and 2009; in case of drone brood, the mean mortality of 54.67 per cent was recorded at 5-mite infestation level followed by 45.48 and 31.39 per cent at 3 and 1-mite infestation level, respectively. However, the mean mortality of 42.22, 33.46 and 22.89 per cent was recorded at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level in case of drone brood during the autumn season, 2008 and 2009, whereas, the mean mortality of 52.42, 41.65 and 31.21 per cent was observed at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level in drone brood during the autumn season, 2008 and 2009. The mean mite abundance on adult worker bees was 34.04; 26.52 and 15.59 per cent at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level whereas in case of drone bees the mean mite abundance of 43.21; 34.43 and 22.51 per cent was observed at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level during the spring season 2008 and 2009. The studies revealed that the mean mite abundance of 35.50, 27.23 and 16.36 per cent in adult worker bees at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level during the autumn season 2008 and 2009. However, in case of adult drone bees, the mean mite abundance of 45.80, 37.34 and 25.65 per cent was observed at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level, respectively during the autumn season 2008 and 2009. The studies on the effect of Varroa destructor mite on the life span of worker bees revealed that the mean mortality of worker bees was 30.80, 21.06 and 10.20 per cent at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level, respectively during spring 2008 and 2009. However, during autumn 2008 and 2009, mean mortality of worker bees was 32.06, 21.06 and 10.25 per cent at 5, 3 and 1-mite infestation level. In case of worker bees inoculated with 1-mite, the mean life span was 49.66 days followed by 23.83 and 13.86 days at 3 and 5 mite infestation level, respectively during spring 2008 and 2009, while during autumn season 2008 and 2009, the mean life span of worker bees was 39.50, 22.16 and 13.65 days at 1, 3 and 5-mite infestation level, respectively. In case of drone bees infested with 1, 3 and 5-mites, the respective body weight loss averaged to 7.96, 11.07 and 16.32 per cent. However, in case of adult worker bees infested with 1, 3 and 5-mites, the respective body weight loss averaged to 6.94, 14.58 and 17.76 per cent whereas in case of drone pupae infested with 1, 3 and 5-mites, the respective body weight loss averaged to 11.69, 16.93 and 19.69 per cent. However, in case of worker pupae, the body loss averaged to 11.30, 13.43 and 14.53 per cent at 1, 3 and 5-mite infestation level. The studies on the development of IPM module of Varroa destructor revealed that queen caging and drone trap combs were highly effective in suppressing the mite population as compared to control. The studies revealed that all the chemicals were highly effective against the Varroa destructor mite as compared to control and the efficacy of different chemicals was in the following order – taufluvalinate (Apistan strips, 2 strips/10 frame colony) > formic acid, 85% (@ 35 ml/colony through paper napkins) > thymol (@ 0.3 g/comb) > oxalic acid 3.5% (@ 50 ml of 1:1 sugar solution/colony) > formic acid, 65% (@ 35 ml/colony through cotton wicks) > oxalic acid, 3% (@ 50 ml/colony) > thymol (@ 2.5 g/comb)

Specificity, Seasonal Abundance and Management of Mites Associated with Commercially Cultivated Mushrooms in Kashmir Valley.

Survey was conducted at three places (RRL-Srinagar, Nishat, and MRTC-SKUAST-K) during different cropping seasons for the collection and identification of mites infesting mushrooms. Three mites were identified namely Parasitus nr. loricatus, Fuscoropoda and Glyptholaspis species. In case of seasonal abundance, mite population is directly correlated with temperature. Highest mite population i.e. 15.66 (Glyptholaspis sp.) and 17.00 (Fuscoropoda sp.)/20g of compost was found at 25oC. Lowest population was recorded at 15oC. Relative humidity did not influence the population. The order of efficacy of tested chemicals was as follows Dichlorvos> Ethion> Dicofol> Malathion> Chlorpyriphos. Dichlorvos gave hundred per cent morality for both the species (Glyptholaspis and Fuscoropoda) after the 4th day of application at 0.01 and 0.02 per cent concentration respectively in the laboratory. In the mushroom house complete control was achieved after 6th day of the application of Dichlorvos at 0.01 and 0.02 per cent concentration for Glyptholaspis and Fuscoropoda species, respectively. Eithon also gave the hundred per cent mortality (laboratory conditions) after 5th and 6th day of application against the mite species at 0.04 per cent concentration, while in mushroom house complete control was achieved 7 days after the application of ethion for both the species at 0.02 per cent concentration. The efficacy of tested botanicals was in the order of sweet worm wood > Walnut>Indian May apple>Lavender>Dharek>Belladona>English Yew>Castor> Deodar. Sweet worm wood gave hundred per cent mortality at 6 per cent concentration for both the species of mites (Glyptholaspis and Fuscoropoda species) after 6th day of application in the laboratory. In mushroom house 93 and 92 per cent mortality was recorded after 7th day of application of sweet worm wood leaf extract at 6 per cent concentration in case of Glyptholaspis and Fuscoropoda species respectively. Walnut hull extract also provided 100 per cent morality at 6 per cent concentration for both the species after 7th day of application in the laboratory studies while 82.50 per cent (Glyptholaspis sp.) and 80.80 per cent (Fuscoropoda sp.) mortality was recorded after 7th day of application in the mushroom house at 6 per cent concentration. The pesticides as well as botanicals evaluated in the present studies were found non-deleterious to the mushroom mycelial growth. There was no significant difference between the colony diameters of tested chemical/ botanicals and control treatments during laboratory studies. Colony diameters in case of Eithon and Dichlorvos were 87.33 and 87.00 mm after 15 days of inoculation while in case of control treatment it was 89.00 mm. In case of Sweet worm wood and walnut the colony diameter recorded was 87.00 mm after 15 days of inoculation