Eficacia del aceite esencial de ruda (Ruta graveolens) y el ácido oxálico en el control de varroasis

Introduction. Varroa destructor is one of the main causes of mortality in Apis mellifera colonies, which requires constant control measures. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of rue (Ruta graveolens) essential oil and oxalic acid in controlling Varroa destructor in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Materials and methods. The study was conducted in commercial apiaries located in two areas of Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador, from April to May 2023. Oxalic acid (5 and 10 g) was applied by sublimation, and rue essential oil (10 and 15 %) was applied on impregnated strips; a control treatment (without applications) was also included. Each treatment was applied three times at eight-day intervals. Mite mortality and product efficacy were evaluated 96 h after application. A completely randomized design was used. Results. The highest mite mortality was obtained with oxalic acid, and it increased with dose and exposure time. At the end of the evaluation period, oxalic acid (5 and 10 g) reduced V. destructor infestation by 84.9 y 92.3 %, respectively. Rue essential oil (10 and 15 %) caused 68.0 and 76.5 % mortality, respectively. Control efficacy increased over time, especially in treatments with sublimated oxalic acid. Conclusion. Oxalic acid and rue essential oil could be a viable alternative for inclusion in an integrated management program for V. destructor in beekeeping.