Geographical and seasonal distribution of Varroa destructor in honey bee (Apis mellifera) of East Azarbaijan Province, Iran: in a period of one year (2014-2013)

Honey bee ectoparasites infestations may affect the insect and causes the population reduction, particularly, in Iranian apiculture system. The present study was aimed to determine frequency, seasonal and geographical distribution of ectoparasites in apiaries of East Azarbaijan Province, Iran, over one year (2013-2014). A total of 960 beehives of 146 apiaries from 44 villages of 12 municipalities in north, center and south parts of the region were sampled using random cluster sampling method. The honey bees and larvae in each cell of beehive were investigated for Varroa infestation. Tracheal infection of honey bees with Acarapis woodi was also examined. A total number of 100 honeybees from each hive were investigated for Braulea coeca infestation. The overall prevalence of Varroa destructor was 55.1%. Of those, 340 honey bees (35.4%) and 190 bee larvae (19.7%) were infested with Varroa destructor. The highest infestation and lowest was found in honey bees and bee larvae in autumn (54.5%) and spring (37%), respectively. There was no significant difference between frequency of infestation and seasons. While larval infestation was significantly higher in summer. The highest infestation of honey bees (41.2%) and bee larvae (25.6%) was respectively found in north (31.5%) and south (15%) parts of the region. Honey bee infestation with Acarapis woodi and Braulea coeca was not detected in the examined apiaries. From the results of this work, it was concluded that Varroa destructor mite is a prevalent ectoparasite in apiaries of East Azarbaijan Province which may have economic importance.