Frequency of Varroa destructor, Nosema apis and Acarapis woodi in managed colonies and wild swarms of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Diseases and parasitosis that affect honey bees produce heavy losses to the honey industry. However, damages do not affect managed colonies and wild swarms homogeneously. With the purpose of determining frequency and rate of infestation of V. destructor, N. apis and A. woodi in bees in Yucatan, 76 bee samples were collected between June and September 2006, 27 from managed colonies and 49 from wild swarms. V. destructor frequency in managed colonies was 62.9 %, showing a 1.70 +/- 0.26 mites/100 bees infestation rate and of 55.1 % in wild swarms, with a 1.96 +/- 0.44 mites/100 bees infestation rate. No differences were found either for frequency (x(2)=0.44, d.f.=1, P=0.51) or infestation rate (t=0.14, P=0.89). N. apis frequency in managed colonies was 74.0 %, showing a 1,480*10(3) +/- 232*10(3) spores/bee infestation rate and of 53.0 % in wild swarms, with a 1,416*10(3)+/- 264*10(3) spores/bee infestation rate. No differences were found either for frequency (X-2=3.22, df=1, P=0.07) or infestation rate (t=0.18, P=0.86). No presence of A. woodi was detected. Results confirm an increase in N. apis presence in Yucatan.