EFFECT OF Varroa destructor ON VIABILITY OF HONEY BEES AND POLLINATION SERVICES IN SEMI-ARID CENTRAL NIGERIA: FOOD SECURITY AND AGROECOSYSTEM RESILIENCE THREATS
NJE Vol. 41(2): 184-199, 2025
DOI.10.36108/NJE/5202/14.0241
Aderolu, I. A., Oyerinde, A. A., Liadi, T. M., and Akande, A. A.
Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, P.M.B. 117, Abuja, Nigeria
Abstract
Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) has been the most devastating ectoparasitic mite to viable populations of honeybees and pollination-dependent agriculture worldwide. This study examined how Varroa mites affect the survival of the Apis mellifera adansonii bee colony and the vital pollination it provides in Central Nigeria’s semi‑arid Guinea‑savanna farming area, where, importantly, global data gaps are substantially huge. The experiment was carried out on 20 colonies with equal strength within six months (May to October 2024). The infestation with the varroa mite was evaluated by the sugar-shake method and alcohol wash. In addition, the strength of colonies, brood conditions, forager movement, honey output, and pollination were also analyzed. The performance of pollination was assessed based on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) planted on the experimental plots. The results obtained were analyzed using ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression modeling. In the mite count of a colony, the colony experienced significant losses at (> 5 mites / 100 bees; R² = 0.69–0.82; p < 0.01): the viability of the brood decreased by 29.2%, and the traffic of foragers (46.8%) and the honey production (41.7%), as well as the fruit set (32.4%), when compared to the lightly infested colonies. A significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation was recorded between the load of mites and all the performance metrics. According to this study, the poor performance of bees in terms of pollination and crop productivity was a direct effect of impaired bee physiology.
Keywords: Varroa destructor, honey bee colony health, pollination services, integrated pest management, semi-arid agroecosystems, food security