Contact Effect Contribution to the High Efficiency of Lithium Chloride Against the Mite Parasite of the Honey Bee

Lithium chemicals have been proven to be very effective in eradicating Varroa destructor, the detrimental parasite of the honey bee; however, little is known about the side effects on brood and long term consequences on the colony. Earlier, it was proposed that the action mechanisms of lithium chloride do not include the contact mode. Here, we investigate this question using a paper strip test to demonstrate the concentration-dependent effectiveness of lithium in the contact mode of action, confirming that it is also a contact agent against the Varroa mite. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on the high varroicidal effect of lithium in the contact mode of action. Our findings may open up possibilities for novel ways of treatment (e.g., the use of lithiated strips) in the event that lithium salts become legal for use in apiculture

Data on the Coleoptera, Heteroptera and Homoptera fauna of the common oak (Quercus robur)

Results of investigations in Somogy county on the insect fauna on common oak in 2005­2006 are presented. Three fields of collection were visited in 2 weeks periods. 13 new herbivorous species were found, potentially feeding on common oak. Amongst these rare species were found, especially in the family of Tenebrionidae

Re-visiting phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships in the genus Saga (Insecta: Orthoptera).

Twelve of the 13 bushcricket species of the Saga genus are bisexuals and diploids, except the parthenogenetic and tetraploid bush cricket, Saga pedo. Despite a continuous research effort stretching through the 1900s, the taxonomic relationships of the Saga species are still disputed. In this study, our primary aim was to reveal natural relationships of the European Saga species and three of their Asian relatives, with special attention to the problematic taxonomy of two subspecies: S. campbelli campbelli and S. c. gracilis. Following a phylogenetic analysis of eight species, a comprehensive study was carried out on the above three taxa by using acoustic and morphometric approaches in parallel. Our phylogenetic data showed that European Saga species evolved from a monophyletic lineage. The geographical transitional species S. cappadocica was positioned between European and Asian lineages supporting the idea that the European Saga lineage originated phylogeographically from the Asian clade. The above results showed better agreement with the morphological data than with earlier ones based either on karyology or acoustic information only. After reviewing our data, we concluded that Saga pedo has most likely evolved from S. c. gracilis and not from S. rammei or S. ephippigera, as proposed by earlier studies. S. c. gracilis shares the same ITS2 haplotype with S. pedo, indicating that the latter could have evolved from populations of the former, probably through whole genome duplication. Based on acoustic and morphometric differences, we propose to elevate the two subspecies, S. campbelli campbelli and S. c. gracilis, to species level status, as Saga gracilis Kis 1962, and Saga campbelli Uvarov 1921. The present work sets the stage for future genetic and experimental investigations of Saginae and highlights the need for additional comprehensive analysis involving more Asian Saga species

Changes in Lithium Levels in Bees and Their Products Following Anti-Varroa Treatment

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Varroosis caused by the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor has been the biggest threat to managed bee colonies over recent decades. Chemicals available to treat the disease imply problems of resistance, inconsistent efficacy, and residues in bee products. Recently, alongside novel compounds to defeat the pest, lithium chloride has been found to be effective. In this study, we found that lithium treatments leave beeswax residue-free. The possibility of decontamination in adult bees, bee bread, and uncapped honey was revealed. On the other hand, ripe honey was found to be affected by lithium administered via feeding. Case studies are necessary to uncover the level of exposition in harvested honey to estimate its potential risk once it becomes a registered veterinary medicine. ABSTRACT: The biggest threat to beekeeping is varroosis caused by the mite Varroa destructor. Chemicals available to treat this fatal disease may present problems of resistance or inconsistent efficacy. Recently, lithium chloride has appeared as a potential alternative. To date, the amount of residue lithium treatments may leave in honeybee products is poorly understood. Honeybees were fed with 25 mM lithiated sugar syrup, which was used in earlier studies. The accumulation and elimination of the lithium were monitored in bees and their products for 22 days. Lithium concentration increased in the entire body of the bees to day 4 post-treatment and then recovered rapidly to the control level. Lithium exposure was found to affect uncapped honey in the short term (<16 days), but ripe (capped) honey measured at the end of the trial remained affected. On the other hand, lithium treatment left beeswax lithium-free. Based on these data, we propose that comprehensive research on harvested honey is needed to decide on the veterinary use of lithium

Identification of reference markers for characterizing honey bee (Apis mellifera) hemocyte classes

Cell mediated immunity of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) involves the activity of several hemocyte populations, currently defined by morphological features and lectin binding characteristics. The objective of the present study was to identify molecular markers capable of characterizing subsets of honey bee hemocytes. We developed and employed monoclonal antibodies with restricted reactions to functionally distinct hemocyte subpopulations. Melanizing cells, known as oenocytoids, were defined by an antibody to prophenoloxidase, aggregating cells were identified by the expression of Hemolectin, and phagocytic cells were identified by a marker expressed on granulocytes. We anticipate that this combination of antibodies not only allows for the detection of functionally distinct hemocyte subtypes, but will help to further the exploration of hematopoietic compartments, as well as reveal details of the honey bee cellular immune defense against parasites and microbes

Comparison of Alternative Application Methods for Anti-Varroa Lithium Chloride Treatments

Varroosis is one of the most dangerous threats to the bee industry but means of its treatment are still unsatisfactory. Lithium-based anti-Varroa treatments may provide an alternative, as this trace element can be a natural component of honey and is well tolerated by adult bees. However, it can be toxic to larvae and its use in beekeeping practice is not yet well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of relevant application methods of acaricides used in beekeeping practice in brood-free conditions for lithium. Vaporisation proved to be an inefficient method of lithium treatment and killed only 9.9 &plusmn; 3.3% (mean &plusmn; SD) of mites in the hive. Lithium-impregnated paper strips showed moderate efficiency by killing 55.1 &plusmn; 26.2% of mites. The most effective way of applying lithium was the trickling method; different trickling treatments decreased the abundance of mites on average by 65 to 99.7%, depending on the applied dosage and the number of treatments. Repeated trickling treatments were more effective than single treatments, and they generally provided &gt;90% efficiency. Experiments also proved that adding sugar to the trickling solution does not influence treatment efficiency. Thus, it is suggested that repeated and sugar-free trickling treatments with moderate lithium dosage could be the most rational methodology. Since lithium is not yet legalised in beekeeping practice, comprehensive studies are also needed to uncover the amount of lithium residue in bee products, depending on the treatment parameters

Lithium Chloride Shows Effectiveness against the Poultry Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

The poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is the main pest of poultry, causing severe problems by being a vector of several animal and human pathogens. The number of miticides is few, and their efficacy in practice implies problems of residues and resistance; therefore, the demand for a new and safe agent is constant. The present publication investigated the effectiveness of lithium chloride under in vitro conditions on poultry red mites. This chemical currently appears to be one of the most promising alternatives to study amongst potential applicants to treat varroosis, a fatal disease of honey bees. In Experiment I, the previously used experimental doses (5.52 M, 2.76 M, 1.38 M) on Varroa mites confirmed their in vitro activity on the poultry red mite. Three event times (uncontrolled movement, immobilisation and death) were recorded to base the response to treatment for each concentration. In Experiment II, the LD 50 value was calculated, i.e., the value at which 50% of the mites were killed by the treatment. This Experiment showed that the LD50 of lithium chloride = 0.265 M in the poultry red mite. It is to note that the study remained restricted to in vitro confirmation of lithium chloride&rsquo;s effectiveness on the parasite. Thus, further extensive studies are needed to decide whether it has any relevance in practice against D. gallinae, and also to assess potential residue problems that could affect poultry products

Efficacy of In Vitro Lithium Chloride Treatments on Dermacentor reticulatus

Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr., 1794) (Acari: Ixodidae) is parasite that spreads many diseases which are dangerous to humans and animals. Microelement lithium was found to have promising potential against the detrimental bee pest Varroa destructor. Furthermore, its effectiveness was confirmed against Dermanyssus gallinae, a major parasite of poultry, in vitro. In the present study, we investigated whether the efficacy of lithium chloride extends to other parasitic species, such as D. reticulatus. Our results revealed, for the first time, that the effectiveness of lithium chloride extends to D. reticulatus, confirmed to have 100% mortality at a relatively high minimum concentration of 1.38 M in vitro. The 24 h and 48 h median lethal concentration (LC50) values proved to be 0.654 M and 0.481 M, respectively, for this species. Our pilot study may contribute to a better understanding of the properties of lithium ion. Furthermore, it may elicit further studies aiming to reveal whether the different environmental mineral conditions may influence the D. reticulatus population. Further studies might reveal whether lithium has any possible veterinary relevance