<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0043_s_005_w2aab3b7c10b1b6b1aab1c16b1Aa"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Amitraz is a formamide exhibiting both acaricidal and insecticidal activity and is frequently used by beekeepers to protect honeybee colonies against <italic>Varroa destructor</italic> mites. The aim of this apiary trial was to evaluate the impact of honeybee colony fumigation with amitraz on the level of contamination of honey stored in combs.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0043_s_006_w2aab3b7c10b1b6b1aab1c16b2Aa"><h3>Material and Methods</h3><p>Experimental colonies were fumigated four times every four days with one tablet of Apiwarol per treatment. Honey was sampled from combs of brood chambers and combs of supers one day after each amitraz application and from harvested honey. Amitraz marker residues (as a total of amitraz and metabolites containing parts of molecules with properties specific to the 2,4-DMA group, expressed as amitraz) were evaluated in honey.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0043_s_007_w2aab3b7c10b1b6b1aab1c16b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>All analysed samples were contaminated with amitraz metabolites. 2,4-DMA and DMPF were the most frequently determined compounds. The average concentration of amitraz marker residue in honey from groups where a smouldering tablet was located directly in beehives was significantly higher than that of residue in honey from groups with indirect smoke generation. No significant effect on the honey contamination deriving from the place where it was exposed to smoke (combs of brood chambers and supers) was noted. Amitraz marker residues exceeded the MRL in 10% of honey samples from combs.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0043_s_008_w2aab3b7c10b1b6b1aab1c16b4Aa"><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Fumigation of beehives with amitraz results in contamination of honey stored in combs.</p></sec></abstract>

IntroductionAmitraz is a formamide exhibiting both acaricidal and insecticidal activity and is frequently used by beekeepers to protect honeybee colonies against Varroa destructor mites. The aim of this apiary trial was to evaluate the impact of honeybee colony fumigation with amitraz on the level of contamination of honey stored in combs.Material and MethodsExperimental colonies were fumigated four times every four days with one tablet of Apiwarol per treatment. Honey was sampled from combs of brood chambers and combs of supers one day after each amitraz application and from harvested honey. Amitraz marker residues (as a total of amitraz and metabolites containing parts of molecules with properties specific to the 2,4-DMA group, expressed as amitraz) were evaluated in honey.ResultsAll analysed samples were contaminated with amitraz metabolites. 2,4-DMA and DMPF were the most frequently determined compounds. The average concentration of amitraz marker residue in honey from groups where a smouldering tablet was located directly in beehives was significantly higher than that of residue in honey from groups with indirect smoke generation. No significant effect on the honey contamination deriving from the place where it was exposed to smoke (combs of brood chambers and supers) was noted. Amitraz marker residues exceeded the MRL in 10% of honey samples from combs.ConclusionFumigation of beehives with amitraz results in contamination of honey stored in combs.

Amitraz marker residues in honey from honeybee colonies treated with Apiwarol

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Amitraz marker residues in honey from honeybee colonies treated with Apiwarol"}

IntroductionAmitraz is a formamide exhibiting both acaricidal and insecticidal activity and is frequently used by beekeepers to protect honeybee colonies...

Amitraz marker residues in honey from honeybee colonies treated with Apiwarol

Published Online: Oct 23, 2018

Page range: 297 - 301

Received: Jun 15, 2018

Accepted: Sep 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2018-0043

Keywords
honey bees, honey, amitraz fumigation, amitraz marker residues

© 2018 K. Pohorecka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Amitraz marker residues in honey from honeybee colonies treated with Apiwarol

Published Online: Oct 23, 2018

Page range: 297 - 301

Received: Jun 15, 2018

Accepted: Sep 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2018-0043

Keywordshoney bees, honey, amitraz fumigation, amitraz marker residues

© 2018 K. Pohorecka et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
honey bees, honey, amitraz fumigation, amitraz marker residues