The European honey bee, Apis mellifera, is an important pollinator of horticultural and agricultural field crops, providing ≈ 90% of all commercial pollination services (Genersch et al. 2010). The recent rise in colony loss due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been a source of concern for both beekeepers and the apiculture industry. One of the factors implicated in CCD is infestation by the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Initial efforts to control the mite relied heavily on regular application of miticides without regard to actual mite infestation levels. This approach has led to problems of resistance in the mite and contamination of the hive and hive-products. Because it is unlikely that miticides will be removed as an option for mite management, a precision mite management (PMM) approach using information on the spatiotemporal distribution of the mite to improve sampling and treatments is seen as a viable option, particularly with respect to treatment costs and impacts on the environment. The primary objective of this study was to develop an understanding of the spatiotemporal distribution of the Varroa mite and bee brood within hives for the purpose of developing a PMM approach for the mite. Varroa mite populations were sampled from May to June, 2012 and February to October, 2013. Sampling was conducted with three commonly used sampling methods: soapy water roll (SWR), brood uncapping, and a modified sticky board; brood uncapping, however, was discontinued during the study due to hive the labor cost and harmful effects of this method to the hives. Similar trends in mite population levels were observed using the soapy water roll and sticky board sampling methods. Spearman's nonparametric analysis showed that there was a significant correlation (ρ = 0.47, P<0.001) in mite population levels for the soapy water roll and sticky board methods for sampling conducted from February to September, 2013 (the SWR method was not used in October). This was despite the fact that there was no significant correlation (ρ= -0.03, P = 0.8548) between the two sampling methods during the spring sampling period from February to April, 2013. The observed lack of correlation between the two sampling methods in early spring was likely due to the low population of brood in the hive, which caused the majority of the mites to remain on adult bees. Mites per 100 adult bees, therefore, appear to reflect mite population levels within the hive more closely than mite fall on sticky borad during the February to April sampling period. This suggests that the soapy water roll method is a better method for estimating mite population levels within the hive in the early spring compared with the sticky board method. Geospatial analyses of the distributions of mite fall on the sticky boards were conducted using geostatistics and Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE). Both analyses showed that mite fall on the sticky board was generally aggregated and the aggregation increased with mite population levels. The average range of the variogram from geostatistical analysis was estimated at 4 sticky board cells; this range value was increased to 5 cells and was used to develop a systematic outside-range sampling protocol for mites on a sticky board. The results showed that the accuracy of the systematic outside-range sampling compared well with that of the traditional sticky board counting method in estimating total mite fall, but required only 60% of the effort (i.e., counting 63 instead of 105 cells). SADIE analysis showed that there is an overall association between the distribution of mite fall on a sticky board and the distribution of brood within a hive. A greater degree of correspondence was also observed in the association of drone and mite distributions during May to June; greater correspondence in worker brood and mite associations was observed in August and September. These differences may be due to relative amounts of the two types of brood present within the hive. A test of the efficacy of precision application of Varroa mite treatment based on the association between drone brood and mite fall resulted in a significantly greater reduction in mite levels on the sticky board using a traditional miticide treatment method compared with the control and precision treatments (𝜒2 =362.571; df = 2; P <0.0001); mite population levels with the precision method, however, were significantly reduced compared with the control. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This study aimed to investigate the time foraging and spatial-temporal distribution of Apis mellifera as well as its influence on crop productivity, in addition to analyzing the botanical origin and insecticide residues in honey throughout the flowering period. The study was conducted on soybean crop in 2012/13, in two areas in Hulha Negra - RS. In the first area, referring to commercial farming of 19.70 acres, four model Langstrogh hives were placed at the ends and divided into 4 areas/treatments performed in bands, the following insecticides: 1- Lambda-cyhalothrin+ thiamethoxam; 2- Imidacloprid+Beta-cyfluthrin, 3- Acephate and 4 - Untreated. While in the second location, each treatment was installed in a cage of 32 m2, four hives/core, one per cage. The installation of colonies in both study areas, occurred on the pre-flowering and spray treatments 15 days after. In the study of foraging were observed and sampled the number of bees in the flowers, in certain places, for 5 minutes every hour, between 7 and 19 hours. To research the distribution of pollinators was marked the perimeter of the area with the aid of a GPS navigation, with dimensions of 50 x 50 grid of me 79 sample points, with population density estimated by visual observations. The yield factors were assessed weight of 100 grains (g) and production (g/3m2), which was converted to kg/ha-1. The honey gathering was held at the end of flowering and multiresidue samples were sent to the Laboratório de Análise de Resíduos de Pesticidas (LARP). As for the detection of biological origin in the honey samples were sent to the Laboratory of Apiculture, UFRGS. The foraging bees foraged in soybean flowers in search of nectar and pollen, preferably in the period from 10 to 13 hours. The maps show the total density of the random distribution of bees due to the wide availability of resources. The soybean bloom occurred predominantly foraging by foraging bees. Treatment with insecticide Acephate contaminated honey produced, and treatments of closed cages with bees no effect on crop productivity. / Este trabalho teve como objetivos investigar o horário de forrageamento e a distribuição espaço-temporal de Apis mellifera, bem como sua influência na produtividade da cultura, além de analisar a origem botânica e os resíduos de inseticidas no mel ao longo do período da floração. O estudo foi realizado em soja na safra 2012/13, em duas áreas no município de Hulha Negra-RS. Na primeira área, referente à lavoura comercial de 19,70 hectares, foram alocadas quatro colmeias modelo Langstrogh nas extremidades e divididas em 4 áreas/tratamentos, realizados em faixas, com os seguintes inseticidas: 1- Tiametoxam+Lambda-Cialotrina; 2- Imidacloprid+Beta-Ciflutrina; 3- Acefato e 4- Testemunha. Enquanto na segunda área, cada tratamento foi instalado em uma gaiola de 32 m2, sendo quatro colmeias/núcleo, uma por gaiola. A instalação das colônias em ambas as áreas de estudo, ocorreu no período de pré-florescimento e a pulverização dos tratamentos 15 dias após. No estudo de forrageamento foi observado e amostrado o número de abelhas nas flores, em locais determinados, durante 5 minutos a cada hora, no período entre 7 e às 19 horas. Para a pesquisa de distribuição dos polinizadores foi demarcado o perímetro da área com auxílio de um GPS de navegação, com dimensões de grade de 50 x 50 m e 79 pontos amostrais, sendo a densidade populacional estimada por observações visuais. Os fatores de rendimento avaliados foram o peso de 100 grãos (g) e a produção (g/3m2), que foi convertida para kg/ha-1. A coleta de mel foi realizada no final do florescimento e as amostras multiresíduos foram enviadas ao Laboratório de Análise de Resíduos de Pesticidas (LARP). Já para a detecção da origem botânica, as amostras de mel foram encaminhadas para o Laboratório de Apicultura da UFRGS. As abelhas campeiras forragearam nas flores de soja em busca de néctar e pólen, preferencialmente no período das 10 às 13 horas. Os mapas de densidade total demonstram a distribuição aleatória das abelhas devido à grande disponibilidade de recursos. A florada de soja ocorreu de forma predominante no forrageamento das abelhas campeiras. O tratamento com o inseticida Acefato contaminou o mel produzido, e os tratamentos de gaiolas fechadas com abelhas não influenciaram na produtividade da cultura.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-06-11Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:44:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 castagnino_glb_dr_botfvmz.pdf: 159555 bytes, checksum: 0d4941b05eba8f37f9e2e42101623105 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do ácido oxálico e de óleos essenciais de plantas como arruda (Ruta graveolens), timol (Thymus vulgaris) eucalipto (Eucalyptus spp) e hortelã (Mentha piperita) na infestação do Varroa destructor em colônias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas. Testes in vitro foram realizados para verificar o efeito desses produtos sobre as abelhas e os ácaros Varroa destructor. Vinte abelhas foram colocadas em gaiola de observação e, no seu interior, um bloco de esponja floral com 10μL, 50μL e 200μL dos diferentes óleos essenciais, segundo os tratamentos: T0: água, T1: óleo de arruda, T2: óleo de hortelã, T3: timol e T4: óleo essencial de eucalipto. Após, as abelhas e os ácaros foram observados por seis horas e quantificadas as mortalidades em decorrência do efeito de cada tratamento. Ambos os testes in vitro foram constituídos de quatro repetições por tratamento. No trabalho de campo, foram realizados seis tratamentos com cinco repetições, aplicados em 30 colônias, sendo: (T0) colméias sem tratamento; (T1) colméias tratadas com óleo essencial de arruda; (T2) timol; (T3) ácido oxálico; (T4) óleo essencial de eucalipto e (T5) óleo de hortelã. Os dados coletados antes da aplicação de cada produto foram confrontados com os obtidos após, verificando os diferentes níveis de mortalidade de varroas, taxa de mortalidade de crias de abelhas, taxa de infestação de varroas em crias e em abelhas adultas. Testes in vitro demonstraram que as substâncias testadas promoveram a mortalidade dos ácaros a partir de 10μL. Em trabalho de campo, constatou-se que as colônias tratadas com óleo de arruda, timol, ácido oxálico, óleo de eucalipto e de hortelã reduziram de forma significativa a mortalidade de crias quando parasitadas pelo ácaro. Os tratamentos com ácido... / This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oxalic acid, and plant essential oils such as arruda (Ruta graveolens), thymol (Thymus vulgaris), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp) and mint (Mentha piperita) in the Varroa destructor infestation in hives of honeybees Apis mellifera africanizated. In vitro tests were performed to determine the effect of these products on bees and Varroa destructor mite. Twenty bees were allocated in observational cages and inside a block of floral foam with 10μL, 50 μL and L 200 μL of different essential oils, according to the treatments: T0: water, T1: arruda oil, T2: mint oil, T3: thymol and T4: eucalyptus essential oil. Afterward, the bees and mites were observed for six hours and mortality recorded. Both in vitro tests were performed in quadruplicate measurements per treatment. Field study was conducted in Santana do Livramento / RS, from 20th June to 21st July, 2005. Six treatments with five repetitions were performed in 30 colonies, where: (T0) beehives without treatment; (T1) beehives treated with arruda essential oil, (T2) thymol, (T3) oxalic acid, (T4) eucalyptus essential oil, and (T5) mint oil. Data collected before the implementation of each product were confronted with those obtained after products administration, checking the different levels of varroas mortality, mortality rate of young bees, infestation rate of varroas in young and adult bees. In vitro tests showed that the tested substances promoted bees and mites mortality in equal or superior amounts of 10μL. In this context, it was found that the colonies treated with arruda oil, thymol, oxalic acid, eucalyptus and mint oil reduced significantly mortality of mite parasitized young bees. Treatments with oxalic acid and thymol promoted a significant reduction in varroas infestation... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-09-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:23:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cardoso_kfg_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 274279 bytes, checksum: 4c63fe896bafffcb2b2627717e3c4439 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária do mel produzido na região do Pólo Cuesta do Estado de São Paulo, por meio da enumeração do Número Mais Provável de Coliformes Totais e Termotolerantes, contagem de bolores e leveduras e atividade de água. Foram coletadas 37 amostras de méis de diferentes floradas produzidas por abelhas Apis mellifera L. em apiários distribuídos na região. As amostras de mel foram coletadas no momento do beneficiamento, acondicionadas em embalagens plásticas do apiário e armazenadas à temperatura ambiente. Todas as análises foram realizadas segundo as recomendações do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento no Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos do Instituto de Biociências da UNESP de Botucatu. Todas as amostras revelaram-se negativas quanto à presença de coliformes totais e termotolerantes e 34 (91,9%) apresentaram contaminação por bolores e leveduras, variando entre 102 até 105 UFC/g. Quanto a atividade de água, os menores valores foram observados na florada de laranja com média de 0,575±0,01 Aa, diferindo significativamente das floradas de eucalipto (0,629±0,02 Aa) e silvestre (0,614±0,02 Aa). Conclui-se que a qualidade microbiológica do mel produzido na região do Pólo Cuesta do Estado de São Paulo apresenta-se satisfatória / The objective of this study was to characterize the hygienic quality of the honey produced in the Pólo Cuesta region of São Paulo state by enumerating the Most Probable Number of Total Coliforms and Thermotolerants, by counting yeasts and molds, and by water activity. Thirty-seven samples of honey of flowerings produced by Apis mellifera L. bees in apiaries spread throughout the region were collected. The 28 honey samples were collected at processing, kept in plastic packages of the apiary, and stored in room temperature. All the analyses were carried out according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply in the Laboratory of Food Microbiology of the Bioscience Institute at UNESP - Botucatu. All the samples proved negative as to the presence of total coliforms and thermotolerants and 34 (91.9%) of them presented some contamination by yeasts and molds ranging from 102 to 105 UFC/g. As to water activity, the lowest values were observed in the orange flowering with an average of 0.575±0.01 Aa, which is significantly different from the eucalyptus flowering (0.629±0.02 Aa) and from the sylvestral one (0.614±0.02 Aa). It is concluded that the microbiological quality of the honey produced in the Pólo Cuesta region of São Paulo state proves satisfactory

Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do ácido oxálico e de óleos essenciais de plantas como arruda (Ruta graveolens), timol (Thymus vulgaris) eucalipto (Eucalyptus spp) e hortelã (Mentha piperita) na infestação do Varroa destructor em colônias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas. Testes in vitro foram realizados para verificar o efeito desses produtos sobre as abelhas e os ácaros Varroa destructor. Vinte abelhas foram colocadas em gaiola de observação e, no seu interior, um bloco de esponja floral com 10μL, 50μL e 200μL dos diferentes óleos essenciais, segundo os tratamentos: T0: água, T1: óleo de arruda, T2: óleo de hortelã, T3: timol e T4: óleo essencial de eucalipto. Após, as abelhas e os ácaros foram observados por seis horas e quantificadas as mortalidades em decorrência do efeito de cada tratamento. Ambos os testes in vitro foram constituídos de quatro repetições por tratamento. No trabalho de campo, foram realizados seis tratamentos com cinco repetições, aplicados em 30 colônias, sendo: (T0) colméias sem tratamento; (T1) colméias tratadas com óleo essencial de arruda; (T2) timol; (T3) ácido oxálico; (T4) óleo essencial de eucalipto e (T5) óleo de hortelã. Os dados coletados antes da aplicação de cada produto foram confrontados com os obtidos após, verificando os diferentes níveis de mortalidade de varroas, taxa de mortalidade de crias de abelhas, taxa de infestação de varroas em crias e em abelhas adultas. Testes in vitro demonstraram que as substâncias testadas promoveram a mortalidade dos ácaros a partir de 10μL. Em trabalho de campo, constatou-se que as colônias tratadas com óleo de arruda, timol, ácido oxálico, óleo de eucalipto e de hortelã reduziram de forma significativa a mortalidade de crias quando parasitadas pelo ácaro. Os tratamentos com ácido... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oxalic acid, and plant essential oils such as arruda (Ruta graveolens), thymol (Thymus vulgaris), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp) and mint (Mentha piperita) in the Varroa destructor infestation in hives of honeybees Apis mellifera africanizated. In vitro tests were performed to determine the effect of these products on bees and Varroa destructor mite. Twenty bees were allocated in observational cages and inside a block of floral foam with 10μL, 50 μL and L 200 μL of different essential oils, according to the treatments: T0: water, T1: arruda oil, T2: mint oil, T3: thymol and T4: eucalyptus essential oil. Afterward, the bees and mites were observed for six hours and mortality recorded. Both in vitro tests were performed in quadruplicate measurements per treatment. Field study was conducted in Santana do Livramento / RS, from 20th June to 21st July, 2005. Six treatments with five repetitions were performed in 30 colonies, where: (T0) beehives without treatment; (T1) beehives treated with arruda essential oil, (T2) thymol, (T3) oxalic acid, (T4) eucalyptus essential oil, and (T5) mint oil. Data collected before the implementation of each product were confronted with those obtained after products administration, checking the different levels of varroas mortality, mortality rate of young bees, infestation rate of varroas in young and adult bees. In vitro tests showed that the tested substances promoted bees and mites mortality in equal or superior amounts of 10μL. In this context, it was found that the colonies treated with arruda oil, thymol, oxalic acid, eucalyptus and mint oil reduced significantly mortality of mite parasitized young bees. Treatments with oxalic acid and thymol promoted a significant reduction in varroas infestation... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Silvia Regina Cunha Funari / Coorientador: Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi / Banca: Dejair Message / Banca: Lídia Maria Carreli Barreto / Banca: Silvia Maria Alves Gomes / Banca: Nabor Veiga / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:18:52Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ito_eh_me_botfmvz.pdf: 244276 bytes, checksum: 5dd109d2948cfebeebabb81a16a5238d (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a presença dos minerais cálcio (Ca), cobre (Cu), enxofre (S), ferro (Fe), fósforo (P), magnésio (Mg), potássio (K) , sódio (Na) e zinco (Zn) em amostras de méis de eucalipto (Eucalyptus sp.), laranjeira (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) e silvestre de abelhas Apis mellifera L. da região do Pólo Cuesta, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As análises dos minerais foram realizadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e os resultados avaliados por meio da Análise de Variância (ANOVA), seguido pelo teste de Tukey-Kramer para comparação das médias (P<0,05). Houve diferenças para os minerais Ca, S, P, Mg, K e Na entre as diferentes origens botânicas. Pode-se concluir que os méis da região do Pólo Cuesta apresentam minerais essenciais ao organismo humano, sendo que o mel de eucalipto apresentou os maiores teores para a maioria dos minerais analisados / The aim of this study were to evaluate the presence of minerals calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), phosphorus (P) , magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and zinc (Zn) in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) and wild honeys samples of Apis mellifera L. bees from Pólo Cuesta region, São Paulo state, Brazil. Analyses of minerals were carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the results evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer test for comparison of means (P<0.05). There were differences for Ca, S, P, Mg, K and Na minerals between different botanical origins. It was concluded that the honey’s Pólo Cuesta region shows minerals essentials to human organism, and the eucalyptus honey had the majority minerals analysed

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:22:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao karla r ananias.pdf: 811761 bytes, checksum: 067033ba445df2a5e7e1bee126d3d7a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-27 / This study aimed at evaluating conditions of production and extraction of honey produced by Apis mellifera L. in Pires do Rio micro region in the state of Goias. For the evaluation of the apicultural Practice and Good Manufacturing Practices, we used a checklist compiled from the health standards in Brazil, where 29 extraction units were visited. The results showed that conformity index ranged 03-70% and that the extraction conditions interfered directly in product quality. They were analyzed for moisture, acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, ashes, insoluble solids and microbiological analysis of fungi and yeast. Of the 35 samples analyzed was observed that 22 (62.85%) have inadequate quality according to the criteria recommended by Instruction Nº. 11 MAPA, while the nonconformities related to moisture (1 to 35, 2.85%), Acidity Total (9 to 35, 25.7%), Hidroximetilfurfural (4 of 35, 11.4%), insoluble solids (12 to 35, 34.28%), Ash (2 of 35, 5.7%). The amount of yeast and mold counts were also evaluated and from <1.0 x 10 ¹ ² to 5.0 x 10 CFU / g were found. The study results indicated that only 37.14% of the samples are in accordance with the guidelines established by the legislation. It follows therefore that the majority of establishments surveyed have unsatisfactory hygiene conditions and thus do not meet the current legislation with regard to the Good Manufacturing Practices for the production of safe food / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as condições de produção, extração e beneficiamento mel de abelhas produzido por Apis mellifera L. na microrregião de Pires do Rio no Estado de Goiás. Para a avaliação das Boas Práticas Apícolas e Boas Práticas de Fabricação, foi utilizada uma lista de verificação elaborada a partir das normas sanitárias vigentes no Brasil, onde 29 unidades de extração foram visitadas. Os resultados revelaram que o índice de conformidade variou de 3 a 70%, e que as condições de extração interferiram diretamente na qualidade do produto. Foram realizadas análises de umidade, acidez total, hidroximetilfurfural, açúcares redutores, sacarose aparente, cinzas, sólidos insolúveis e análise microbiológica de bolores e leveduras. Das 35 amostras analisadas foi observado que 22 (62,85%) possuem qualidade inadequada de acordo com os critérios recomendados pela Instrução Normativa nº 11 do MAPA, estando as não conformidades relacionadas a umidade (1 de 35, 2,85%), Acidez total (9 de 35, 25,7%), Hidroximetilfurfural (4 de 35, 11,4%), Sólidos Insolúveis (12 de 35, 34,28%), Cinzas (2 de 35, 5,7%). A quantidade de bolores e leveduras também foi avaliada e contagens entre <1,0 x 10¹ a 5,0 x 10² UFC/g foram encontradas. Os resultados do estudo indicaram que somente 37,14% das amostras estão em conformidade com os parâmetros estabelecidos pela egislação. Conclui-se, portanto, que a maioria dos estabelecimentos pesquisados apresentam condições de higiene insatisfatórias e assim não atendem a legislação vigente no que diz respeito às Boas Práticas de Fabricação para a produção de alimentos seguros.

Orientador: Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi / Banca: Ligia Maria Ruv Carelli Barreto / Banca: Simone Fernandes / Resumo: Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a presença dos minerais cálcio (Ca), cobre (Cu), enxofre (S), ferro (Fe), fósforo (P), magnésio (Mg), potássio (K) , sódio (Na) e zinco (Zn) em amostras de méis de eucalipto (Eucalyptus sp.), laranjeira (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) e silvestre de abelhas Apis mellifera L. da região do Pólo Cuesta, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As análises dos minerais foram realizadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e os resultados avaliados por meio da Análise de Variância (ANOVA), seguido pelo teste de Tukey-Kramer para comparação das médias (P<0,05). Houve diferenças para os minerais Ca, S, P, Mg, K e Na entre as diferentes origens botânicas. Pode-se concluir que os méis da região do Pólo Cuesta apresentam minerais essenciais ao organismo humano, sendo que o mel de eucalipto apresentou os maiores teores para a maioria dos minerais analisados / Abstract: The aim of this study were to evaluate the presence of minerals calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), phosphorus (P) , magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and zinc (Zn) in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) and wild honeys samples of Apis mellifera L. bees from Pólo Cuesta region, São Paulo state, Brazil. Analyses of minerals were carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the results evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer test for comparison of means (P<0.05). There were differences for Ca, S, P, Mg, K and Na minerals between different botanical origins. It was concluded that the honey's Pólo Cuesta region shows minerals essentials to human organism, and the eucalyptus honey had the majority minerals analysed / Mestre

We analyzed a total of 760 worker bees, two samples per colony, 390 colonies in 26 provinces in Turkey to determine and compare the genetic variation of Turkish honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations using 10 primers for RAPD and 6 microsatellite loci. Mean gene diversity levels ranged from 0.035 (Sanliurfa) to 0.175 (Antalya) for RAPD and 0.449 (Mugla) to 0.739 (Artvin) for microsatellite markers. Private band patterns and alleles, pairwise FST values support that the Anatolian honey bees belong to C lineage except for Hatay and Sanliurfa populations illustrated from previous findings of mitochondrial DNA studies. Genetic differentiation (GST) from RAPD data ranged from 0.060 (Bilecik and Mugla) to 0.395 (G&ouml / k&ccedil / eada and Sanliurfa). The genetic diversity (FST) for microsatellites ranged from -0.068 (G&ouml / k&ccedil / eada and &amp / #272 / zmir) to 0.347 (Konya and Mugla). The results of the present research are in agreement to that of previous study in Turkish honey bee populations which used different microsatellite loci. That is the genetic variation was the highest in African, the lowest in European and intermediate in the Mediterranean honey bee populations. The data presented here indicate that in spite of extensive migratory beekeeping, there is still a large genetic differentiation among honey bee populations. These results should be considered in establishment of conservation plans particularly in moving of colonies between regions. The most importantly introduction of bees with foreign origin and distribution queen bees from one center to all over the country which will homogenize the gene pool of the populations should be prevented

The effects of miticides on the reproductive physiology of queens and drones were examined. The first study examined the effects of Apistan (fluvalinate), Check Mite+ (coumaphos), and Apilife VAR (74% thymol) on sperm production and viability in drones. Drones from colonies treated with each miticide were collected at sexual maturity. Sperm production was determined by counting the number of sperm in the seminal vesicles. Sperm for viability assays was analyzed by dual fluorescent staining. Apilife VAR and coumaphos significantly lowered (P<0.0001) sperm production and coumaphos treatments caused a significant decrease (P<0.0001) in the sperm viability. The effects of miticides on queens was examined by treating queen-rearing colonies and examining the number and viability of sperm in the spermathecae of newly mated queens. Queens from each treatment group were collected after mating and the spermathecae were removed and analyzed. Colonies treated with coumaphos failed to provide viable queens and were excluded. Apilife VAR was found to significantly decrease (P<0.0016) sperm viability. No significant differences in sperm numbers were found between treatments. The effect of miticides on sperm viability over time was also examined. Drones were reared as described, but the spermatozoa were collected as pooled samples from groups of drones. The pooled samples from each treatment were subdivided and analyzed periods of up to 6 weeks. Random samples were taken from each treatment (n = 6 pools) over a period of 6 weeks. The exposure of drones to coumaphos during development significantly reduced sperm viability for all 6 weeks, and caused a large decline in week 6. The potential impacts of these results on queen performance and failure are discussed. / Master of Science in Life Sciences