Health evaluation of Africanized Apis mellifera in the province of Pastaza : Agricultura y Silvicultura

Approximately 35% of all food produced depends on biological pollination and 90% of this pollination involves Apis mellifera. This species is vital for agricultural pollination, but faces threats such as pests, diseases and climate change that have increased colony mortality. The objective of the work was to carry out a sanitary assessment of A. mellifera in the province of Pastaza. The methodological approach was observational and descriptive using stratified sampling in active hives to evaluate the presence of diseases such as american and european foulbrood, and the Varroa destructor mite. For V. destructor, the “jar test” and bacteriological cultures for the foulbrood were used. The results revealed that no cases of american or european foulbrood were detected in the hives, showing that environmental conditions in Pastaza could be less favorable for these pathogens. However, the prevalence of V. destructor was significant, affecting 34.21% of the evaluated hives, with some exceeding the critical threshold of 5% infestation, which represents a considerable risk to the health of the colonies. These results show the urgent need to implement integrated beekeeping management strategies to control V. destructor infestation and prevent colony collapse. In conclusion, the absence of foulbrood is a positive finding, and the high prevalence of V. destructor shows the importance of improving beekeeping management practices in Pastaza to ensure the long-term sustainability of beekeeping in the region.

• Main Author: Chamba Tivan , Jaime Andrés Chamba Tivan (author)
• Other Authors: Vinocunga-Pillajo , Danilo-Reni (author)
• Format: article
• Language: spa
• Published: 2025
• Subjects: beekeeping, diseases, infestation, pollination, sustainability.; apicultura, enfermedades, infestación, polinización, sostenibilidad.
• Online Access: https://revistas.utm.edu.ec/index.php/latecnica/article/view/7137