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Resistance phenomena to amitraz from populations of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor of Argentina

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Abstract

In Argentina, Varroa destructor resistance to coumaphos has been previously reported. However, the status of mite susceptibility to other hard acaricides is still unknown. At present, high infestation levels of V. destructor are being detected in colonies of Apis mellifera after treatment with amitraz. The aim of the present study was to determine the LC50 of amitraz in V. destructor from three apiaries with high mite density after treatment with the acaricide. The LC50 values were 3.9, 3.5, and 3.7 μg/Petri dish for mites from three different apiaries. Significant LC50 differences were detected between resistant and susceptible mites. LC50 increased 35–39-fold when compared to the corresponding baseline, suggesting the development of resistance. These results are the first report of resistance to amitraz in V. destructor in Argentina and extend the knowledge according to the status of acaricides resistance in the country.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the UNMDP, CONICET and CREO (Oportunidades para Conservación, Investigación y Educación). This research was supported by a grant of ANPCyT, Picto 443, and PIC 2007 01749 to M.E and by a grant of CREO to M.M. The experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes, 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Matías D. Maggi, Pedro Negri & Martín J. Eguaras

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Matías D. Maggi & Martín J. Eguaras

  3. Cátedra de Apicultura, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Ruta Nacional 226, Km. 73.5, CC 276, (B7620ZAA), Balcarce, Argentina

    Sergio R. Ruffinengo

Authors
  1. Matías D. Maggi
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  2. Sergio R. Ruffinengo
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  3. Pedro Negri
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  4. Martín J. Eguaras
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Correspondence to Matías D. Maggi.

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Maggi, M.D., Ruffinengo, S.R., Negri, P. et al. Resistance phenomena to amitraz from populations of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor of Argentina. Parasitol Res 107, 1189–1192 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1986-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1986-8

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