Biological Control Methods for Arthropod and Disease Pests in Managed Hives of Apis mellifera in Campeche, Mexico

Beekeeping activities involving Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) impact social, environmental, and economic aspects of daily life in Mexico. For this activity, the participation of women is crucial because they attend to, care for, and collect products from the hives. Beekeeping, however, can be significantly limited by arthropod and disease pests, thereby reducing production. This review was undertaken to identify agents or products of natural origin (i.e., biological control) that have been developed or have the potential to combat these pests. We found that managed hives in Campeche, Mexico are plagued by the varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) (Acari: Mesostigmata), the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and the microsporidia Vairimorpha apis (Zander) Tokarev et al. and Vairimorpha ceranae (Fries et al.) Tokarev et al. (Microsporidia: Nosematidae). Our review revealed at least 47 microorganisms or products of plant or microbial origin that have been assessed and/or developed for management of these pests in A. mellifera hives. All of these products can be easily obtained in Mexico and, thus, hold promise in the management of pests of A. mellifera hives in Mexico.