Varroosis in honey bee colonies in Kerman province, southeastern Iran

Varroa spp. is an important ectoparasite in the honey bee that is distributed worldwide and it may cause to decrease in the population in the honey bee colonies. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of seasonal distribution of Varroa mite in apiaries of Kerman province from 2017-to 2018. 1500 hives were sampled randomly in different apiaries in the Kerman province. Detection of   Varroa spp. infestation in adults honey bees was conducted by Ether wash. The prevalence of Varroa spp infestation in apiaries was 32.9%. The highest frequency of infection in winter was determined as 46.6% and the lowest infection rate was found in spring (24%). The highest and lowest mean density rate of infestation were 33% and 17%.  Regarding the rate of prevalence of Varroa spp in the apiaries of Kerman province, it needs to have a regular control program in order to decrease the rate of infestation in this region.