Biotic Stressors Affecting Key Apiaries in Argentina

Abstract

In this work, we have performed a strategic survey sampling commercial coloniesfrom bee breeders of the main beekeeping Argentinean provinces with the goalof monitoring the parasites that could be affecting Argentinean honey bees.Although we do not have enough samples to perform a national survey, several beebiotic stressors were monitored considering key commercial apiaries, exploringpotential parasitological exchange in commercial practice, and pointing out theusefulness of monitoring certain key apiaries. The information generated by thisresearch contributes to expand the current knowledge about biological hazards forArgentinean bees and attempt to provide useful data for colony management andhoney bee conservation programs.