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El objetivo fue evaluar el comportamiento higiénico (CH) de abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) africanizadas y su impacto en la resistencia a la ascosferosis causada por Ascosphaera apis. Se evaluó el CH y la población de abejas adultas y de cría de 50 colonias. Además, colonias con alto (>95 %) y bajo (36 %), con 20 % de las colonias mostrando alto CH (>95 %) y éste no se correlacionó con la población de abejas adultas y cría. Las colonias con alto CH tuvieron un número significativamente menor de momias que las colonias con bajo CH y hubo una correlación negativa entre el CH y el número de momias (r= -0.63, P= 0.02). Además, las larvas de colonias con alto o bajo CH fueron igualmente susceptibles al hongo. Estos resultados sugieren que el CH y la susceptibilidad de las larvas no están asociados y que el principal mecanismo de protección contra A. apis en poblaciones de abejas africanizadas es el CH. Por ello, la selección de colonias con alto comportamiento higiénico podría contribuir a mejorar la salud y productividad de las abejas melíferas.

open access article Research out put of the COLOSS monitoring Project. COLOSS is a global network of honey bee researchers This article presents managed honey bee colony loss rates over winter 2019/20 resulting from using the standardised COLOSS questionnaire in 37 countries. Six countries were from outside Europe, including, for the first time in this series of articles, New Zealand. The 30,491 beekeepers outside New Zealand reported 4.5% of colonies with unsolvable queen problems, 11.1% of colonies dead after winter and 2.6% lost through natural disaster. This gave an overall colony winter loss rate of 18.1%, higher than in the previous year. The winter loss rates varied greatly between countries, from 7.4% to 36.5%. 3216 beekeepers from New Zealand managing 297,345 colonies reported 10.5% losses for their 2019 winter (six months earlier than for other, Northern Hemisphere, countries). We modelled the risk of loss as a dead/empty colony or from unresolvable queen problems, for all countries except New Zealand. Overall, larger beekeeping operations with more than 50 colonies experienced significantly lower losses (p

The ecto-parasitic mite Varroa destructor is an extremely damaging biotic factor of honey bees (Apis mellifera) worldwide. The magnitude of the damage that V. destructor causes to the health of hon...

Se estimó la tasa de pérdida de colonias de abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) y los factores asociados en los inviernos 2016 al 2019 en la región centro-occidente de México. Se encuestaron 389 apicultores y 50,392 colonias fueron incluidas en el análisis. La tasa de pérdida de colonias fue del 23.61% para el invierno 2016-2017 (IC 95% 19.97-27.24%), de 15.43% para el invierno de 2017-2018 (IC 95% 13.35-17.51%) y de 25.33% en el invierno de 2018-2019 (IC 95% 23.0-27.65%). La tasa de pérdida de colonias en el invierno de 2017-2018 fue significativamente menor que la tasa de pérdida en los inviernos 2016-2017 y 2018-2019 (P

Utilization of maize stover to the production of meat and milk and saving the grains for human consumption would be one strategy for the optimal usage of resources. Variance and tendency analyses were applied to find the optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization dose (0, 100, 145, 190, 240, and 290 kg/ha) for forage (F), stover (S), cob (C), and grain (G) yields, as well as the optimal grain-to-forage, cob-to-forage, and cob-to-stover ratios (G:F, C:F, and C:S, respectively). The study was performed in central Mexico (20.691389° N and −101.259722° W, 1740 m a.m.s.l., Cwa (Köppen), 699 mm annual precipitation, alluvial soils). N-190 and N-240 improved the individual yields and ratios the most. Linear and quadratic models for CDM, GDM, and G:F ratio had coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.20–0.46 (p &lt, 0.03). Cubic showed R2 = 0.30–0.72 (p &lt, 0.02), and the best models were for CDM, GDM, and the G:F, C:F, and C:S DM ratios (R2 = 0.60–0.72, p &lt, 0.0002). Neither SHB nor SDM negatively correlated with CDM or GDM (r = 0.23–0.48, 0.0001). Excess of N had negative effects on forage, stover, cobs, and grains yields, but optimal N fertilization increased the proportion of the G:F, C:F, and C:S ratios, as well as the SHB and SDM yields, without negative effects on grain production.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of short-term supplementation of the beta-adrenergic agonist (β-AA) zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) along with progestin estrus synchronization on weight gain, estrous behavior, ovarian structures and reproductive performance of Rambouillet ewes. Thirty-one Rambouillet ewes (12–14 months old and 3.2 ± 0.2 body condition score in a scale of 1–5) were primed with intravaginal sponges (20 mg chronolone) for 14 days and injected with a single i.m. dose of 400 IU of eCG at sponge removal. Treatments consisted of 1) β-AA group (n = 15, ZH supplementation in diet at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg/d, from day 6 to day 2 before sponge removal), and 2) Control group (n = 16, general management without ZH supplementation). Weight gain, estrus behavior, reproductive performance and ovarian structures by transrectal ultrasonography were recorded. The number of matings per ewe and duration of standing estrus were greater (P

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el efecto del sexo, tipo de parto, raza, condicion de crecimiento retardado y mes de nacimiento sobre peso al nacimiento (PN), crecimiento pre- y post-destete de crias ovinas de pelo nacidas en invierno (n=416). Los corderos mostraron mejor (P

The Africanization of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in the Americas is among the most extensive insect invasions in the world, with large-scale effects on the economy and ecology of a whole continent. Africanized honey bees (AHBs) are a distinctive lineage of A. mellifera, resulting of the extensive admixture between African subspecies (A. m. scutellata and A.m. adansonii) with resident European stocks of honey bees introduced into the Americas. Despite its great importance, to date, the outcome of Africanization of honey bees has not been evaluated in detail. In this article we use the case of Mexico, one of the top beekeeping countries in the world, to assess the effects of Africanization of honey bees and its outcome. There is evidence of African genes in honey bee populations across Mexico, with prevalence in the tropical areas and less so in temperate ones. The Africanization of honey bees resulted in lower honey yields per hive in temperate climates of Mexico, but this has not been assessed in the tropical regions. Mexico’s total honey production and exports at the start of the Africanization process decreased, but today, they have partially rebounded and have remained stable. As in all countries where Africanization has occurred, the defensive behavior of honey bees in Mexico increased but notably, stinging incidents involving humans have been relatively insignificant (0.23 fatalities per million people). Ecologically, AHBs seem to have posed limited impact on the native apifauna and have contributed to pollination of major economic crops, but more studies are needed to evaluate the overall effect. AHBs can be potentially more resistant to parasites and diseases and worth of note is that AHBs in Mexico resulted in a new generation of beekeepers that propelled management and selective breeding. In general, the evidence suggests that the Africanization of honey bees in Mexico has had a less severe impact than originally predicted. We suggest some lines for future directions that may help to better understand the effects, make sustainable use and ameliorate the negative characteristics of AHBs.

Nosema ceranae is an emerging pathogen of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), and thus its seasonality and impact on bee colonies is not sufficiently documented for North America. This study was conducted to determine the infection intensity, prevalence, and viability of N. ceranae in &gt, 200 honey bee colonies during spring, summer, and fall, in a North American region. We also determined the relationship of N. ceranae infections with colony populations, food stores, bee survivorship, and overwinter colony mortality. The highest rates of N. ceranae infection, prevalence, and spore viability were found in the spring and summer, while the lowest were recorded in the fall. N. ceranae spore viability was significantly correlated with its prevalence and infection intensity in bees. Threshold to high levels of N. ceranae infections (&gt, 1,000,000 spores/bee) were significantly associated with reduced bee populations and food stores in colonies. Furthermore, worker bee survivorship was significantly reduced by N. ceranae infections, although no association between N. ceranae and winter colony mortality was found. It is concluded that N. ceranae infections are highest in spring and summer and may be detrimental to honey bee populations and colony productivity. Our results support the notion that treatment is justified when infections of N. ceranae exceed 1,000,000 spores/bee.

The objective of this work was to determine the amitraz treatment effect against Varroa destructor on the population and food reserves of honeybee colonies, during the four seasons of the year in Mexico's central high plateau. 48 colonies with similar sister queens, homogeneous populations, food reserves, and Varroa infestation levels were used.12 colonies received acaricidal treatment in the summer, 12 in winter, 12 in summer and winter, and 12 were untreated. The Varroa infestation levels were determined in adult bees, worker brood, and by mites on the hives' floor for one year. The adult bee population, capped brood area, honey, pollen, and colony weight were also evaluated. There were statistical differences (P

This article presents managed honey bee colony loss rates over winter 2018/19 resulting from using the standardised COLOSS questionnaire in 35 countries (31 in Europe). In total, 28,629 beekeepers supplying valid loss data wintered 738,233 colonies, and reported 29,912 (4.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0–4.1%) colonies with unsolvable queen problems, 79,146 (10.7%, 95% CI 10.5–10.9%) dead colonies after winter and 13,895 colonies (1.9%, 95% CI 1.8–2.0%) lost through natural disaster. This gave an overall colony winter loss rate of 16.7% (95% CI 16.4–16.9%), varying greatly between countries, from 5.8% to 32.0%. We modelled the risk of loss as a dead/empty colony or from unresolvable queen problems, and found that, overall, larger beekeeping operations with more than 150 colonies experienced significantly lower losses (p, peer-reviewed

El objetivo fue estimar la tasa de pérdida de colonias de abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) durante el invierno de 2015-2016 en las regiones del altiplano y norte de México. Se encuestaron 196 apicultores (n = 41 907 colonias). La tasa promedio de pérdida de colonias en ambas regiones fue del 33.4%, no se presentaron diferencias sig-nicativas (p > 0.05) entre regiones. Los apicultores encuestados estiman que las principales causas de pérdida fueron: el mal tiempo, enfermedades, insecticidas, evasión y la enjambrazón. No hubo efecto del tamaño de las explotaciones apícolas respecto a la tasa de pérdida de colonias. El presente estudio representa la primer estimación en dos regiones de México sobre la tasa de pérdida de colonias en el periodo invernal y que ésta es similar a la de otros países. Se sugiere implementar técnicas de manejo que contribuyan a mitigar los efectos del mal clima, las enfermedades, plagas y la africanización.

Se estimó la población de abejas, áreas con cría, miel y polen en 150 colonias de abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) establecidas en las regiones semiseca templada, subhúmeda templada y semiseca semicálida de Zacatecas, México, durante las épocas de primavera y otoño. Las colonias de la región semiseca semicálida tuvieron significativamente más abejas y cría en otoño que las colonias de las otras regiones (P50,000), por lo que se sugiere que previo a floraciones se implementen estrategias tendientes a incrementar la población y reservas de alimento que contribuyan a la sobrevivencia de las colonias en el invierno y a mejorar su productividad.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar el desarrollo poblacional, peso y la producción de miel de colonias de abejas (Apis mellifera) alimentadas con tres dietas energético-proteicas a base de un sustituto elaborado con levadura de cerveza y polen, en combinación con jarabe de maíz de alta fructosa al 55% (JMAF), o jarabe de sacarosa (JA), o jarabe de sacarosa invertido (JAI). Se utilizaron 90 colonias homogeneizadas en cuanto a tamaño poblacional, reservas de alimento y origen de las reinas, todas alimentadas con el suplemento proteico, pero además, 30 de ellas recibieron JMAF, 30 JA y 30 JAI. La población de abejas adultas, área de cría operculada, peso y producción de miel de las colonias se determinó a los 27, 49 y 76 días después de haber sido establecidas. Las colonias alimentadas con JMAF fueron significativamente más pesadas que las alimentadas con JA y JAI entre las cuales no hubo diferencias. Las colonias alimentadas con JMAF produjeron significativamente más miel (35.8±3.35 kg) que las alimentadas con JA (28.2±2.65) y con JAI (24.8±2.70 kg), entre las cuales no hubo diferencias. Los resultados sugieren que el uso de JMAF en combinación con un suplemento proteico en la alimentación de estímulo de colonias de abejas melíferas representa una opción más eficiente que el uso de JA y JAI con suplemento proteico.

In this short note we present comparable loss rates of honey bee colonies during winter 2016/2017 from 27 European countries plus Algeria, Israel and Mexico, obtained with the COLOSS questionnaire. The 14, 813 beekeepers providing valid loss data collectively wintered 425, 762 colonies, and reported 21, 887 (5.1%, 95% confidence interval 5.0–5.3%) colonies with unsolvable queen problems and 60, 227 (14.1%, 95% CI 13.8–14.4%) dead colonies after winter. Additionally we asked for colonies lost due to natural disaster, which made up another 6, 903 colonies (1.6%, 95% CI 1.5–1.7%). This results in an overall loss rate of 20.9% (95% CI 20.6–21.3%) of honey bee colonies during winter 2016/2017, with marked differences among countries. The overall analysis showed that small operations suffered higher losses than larger ones (p < 0.001). Overall migratory beekeeping had no significant effect on the risk of winter loss, though there was an effect in several countries. A table is presented giving detailed results from 30 countries. A map is also included, showing relative risk of colony winter loss at regional level.

El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la frecuencia y grado de infestacion de varroosis (Varroa destructor) e infeccion de nosemosis (Nosema spp.) en colonias de abejas (Apis mellifera) del estado de Zacatecas, durante el otono y la primavera. Se inspeccionaron 299 colonias comerciales de abejas distribuidas en 15 municipios pertenecientes a tres zonas ecologicas: 1) zona semiseca templada, 2) zona semiseca semicalida y 3) zona subhumeda templada. La prevalencia general fue 2.3 % para la nosemosis y 88 % para la varroosis. El nivel de infestacion de varroa vario significativamente (P = 0.05) entre el otono y la primavera, y entre zonas solo vario en la primavera (P < 0.001). Durante el otono, 44 % de las colonias presentaron niveles de infestacion ≥ 5 %, mientras que en la primavera solo 28 % supero dicho nivel. Nosema spp. se observo solamente en 4.7 % de la poblacion analizada en primavera; la mayoria de los casos (86 %) se detecto en la zona semiseca semicalida. Los resultados indican que la varroosis es la parasitosis mas comun de las abejas meliferas adultas en Zacatecas. La nosemosis no representa un problema serio para la apicultura de la entidad, debido a la baja frecuencia

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la producción de miel y los niveles de Varroa destructor entre colonias de abejas africanizadas (AA) (Apis mellifera) con alto y bajo comportamiento higiénico (CH) en el altiplano semiárido de México. Se midió el nivel de CH a 57 colonias por congelamiento de la cría con nitrógeno líquido (N2). Las colonias seclasificaron en dos grupos: alto CH (> 95 %) y bajo CH (< 50 % de remoción de la cría muerta por congelamiento en 48 h). La producción de miel se evaluó durante el otoño y la primavera y el nivel de infestación por Varroa en abejas adultas se determinó antes y durante las cosechas de miel. En primavera, las colonias con CH alto produjeron significativamente más miel que las de CH bajo (21.4 ± 4.7 vs 13.4 ± 5.0 kg; P0.05). Estos resultados sugieren que aparentemente elcomportamiento higiénico no tiene un efecto mayor en la resistencia de las AA al crecimiento poblacional del ácaro. También sugieren que el comportamiento higiénico alto podría contribuir a incrementar la producción de miel en épocas del año con flujo reducido de néctar.

Veterinaria Mexico OA ISSN: 2448-6760 Cite this as: Medina Flores CA, Guzman Novoa E, Hamiduzzaman MM, Aguilera Soto J, Lopez Carlos MA. Africanization of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) in three climatic regions of northern Mexico. Veterinaria Mexico OA. 2015;2(4). doi: 10.21753/vmoa.2.4.353 This study was conducted to analyze the process of Africanization of managed honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) colonies by determining the frequency of African and European morphotypes and mitotypes ( mt DNA) in three different ecological environments of northern Mexico. Colonies (n= 151) were sampled in 1) temperate semi-dry; 2) semi-warm semi-dry; and 3) temperate sub-humid regions in the state of Zacatecas. The mt DNA type was determined by PCR-RFLP and the morphotype by the Fast Africanized Bee Identification System (FABIS). Out of all the colonies sampled in all areas, the mt DNA analysis showed a significantly higher frequency of European maternal lineage (77.5%) than of African maternal lineage (22.5%; P

One hundred and twelve Dorper × Katahdin lambs (initial BW = 28.9 ± 0.9 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design, with the objective of evaluating the effects of feed supplementation with the β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) for the last 14, 28, or 42 d of feeding period, on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing lambs. Treatments consisted of the supplementation of 20.0 mg RH/kg of dietary DM or 6.0 mg ZH/kg of dietary DM for the last 14, 28, or 42 d of the feeding period, and a control group (without β-AA). Compared with controls, lambs fed β-AA, had greater ( P P = 0.04) linearly, but this tendency was vanishing ( P = 0.30) when DMI was expressed on BW or metabolic weight basis. Lambs fed β-AA had greater ( P ≤ 0.009) HCW, dressing percent, LM area, and reduced fat thickness when compared to lambs fed the control diet. Lambs fed ZH had greater HCW (3.9%, P = 0.001), dressing percentage (3.8%, P P = 0.006) than RH group. As the duration of ZH feeding increased, HCW and dressing percentage decreased ( P = 0.001), and fat thickness increased linearly ( P = 0.064); however, the lambs fed RH showed a linear increase ( P P ≥ 0.142) carcass traits. The proportion of leaner carcasses were increased ( P 2 , but these proportions were reduced linearly ( P ≤ 0.002) as the feeding duration became longer. β-AA supplementation increased growth performance in lambs as results of greater muscle accretion and body fat reduction. The β2-AA compound has a greater response in feedlot lambs than the β1-AA compound. Carcasses showed a more desirable combination of carcass characteristics if lambs were fed ZH during 42 d, and if lambs were fed RH between 28 and 42 d. Results of this study contribute to a better use of β-adrenergic agonists in feedlot lambs.

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies of African and European descent were compared for levels of Varroa destructor infestation in 3 different ecological regions in Mexico. The 300 colonies that were studied were located in subtropical, temperate sub-humid, and temperate dry climates. The morphotype and mitotype of adult bees as well as their rates of infestation by varroa mites were determined. Additionally, the number of combs with brood and covered with bees was recorded for each colony. The highest frequency of colonies that were classified as African-derived was found in the subtropical environment, whereas the lowest occurred in the temperate dry region. Overall, the colonies of African genotype had significantly lower mite infestation rates (3.5±0.34%) than the colonies of European genotype (4.7±0.49%) regardless of the region sampled. Significant effects of genotype and region on Varroa infestation rates were evident, and there were no differences in bee population or capped brood between genotypes. Mite infestation levels were significantly lower in the colonies of the temperate dry region than in the colonies of the other 2 regions. These results are discussed within the context of results from studies that were previously conducted in Brazil. This is the first study that demonstrates the effects of Africanization and ecological environment on V. destructor infestation rates in honey bee colonies in North America.

Aguilera-Soto J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Pina-Flores J.A., Medina-Flores C.A., Rodriguez-Frausto, H., Rodriguez-Tenorio, D. and Gutierrez-Banuelos, H. 2009. Effect of feed additives on digestibility and performance of Holstein cows fed wet brewers grains. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 36: 227–230. To evaluate different feed additives in cows fed wet brewer's grain, 5 ruminal-cannulated Holstein cows (470±45 kg; 18±3 kg d−1 milk), were allotted to a 5x5 Latin-square design. A total-mixed diet containing 33% wet brewers grains (WBG) was provided including: 1) no additives (Control), 2) 1% sodium bicarbonate, 3) 1% sodium bentonite, 4) 33 mg kg−1 sodium monensin and 5) 200 mg kgfibrolityc enzymes. Cows fed bicarbonate or enzymes had significantly higher dry matter intake (DMI). However, apparent digestibility of different nutrients did not differ (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Similarly except acetate propionate ratio (A:P) none of the ruminal parameters ...

Este estudio fue conducido para evaluar el uso de ensilaje de tomate como parte de dietas liquidas fermentadas para cerdos en crecimiento y finalización. Treinta y dos cerdos machos (Duroc × York) de 27 ±3 días de edad y con un peso inicial de 8,4 ±1,3kg de peso vivo (PV) fueron asignados aleatoriamente a una de dos dietas experimentales: dieta 1, una dieta basal con 30% (en base a MS) de ensilaje de tomate (ET); y la dieta 2, una dieta basal con 30% (en base a MS) con bagazo de cervecería húmedo (BCH) como control. Se evaluaron los parámetros productivos y las características de la canal. La ganancia diaria de peso (GDP) se incrementó (P0,05) en los cerdos alimentados con ET en los periodos de alimentación de 0-40 y 40-80 días. Los cerdos alimentados con la dieta ET crecieron más rápido (P0,05) que los cerdos alimentados con la dieta BCH. Las características de la canal no fueron afectadas (P0,05) por la adición de ET. Se concluye que el ensilaje de tomate puede ser incluido en un 30% de las dietas liquidas fermentadas de cerdos en crecimiento-finalización, debido a que esta dieta mejora los parámetros productivos sin afectar las características de la canal.

Este estudio fue conducido a fin de conservar el desperdicio de tomate de la agroindustria mediante ensilaje. Se mezclaron tomates con 1 de 4 aditivos (3% de aditivo en base a MS): melaza de caña (M), levadura de cervecería (Y), una mezcla 1:1 de M e Y (M:Y), o sin aditivos (C). Después de 140 días de ensilaje, el pH y la composición química de los ensilajes fueron evaluados. El pH fue mayor (P0,05) en C, seguidos por Y, M:Y y M, pero en todos los tratamientos se observaron niveles de pH adecuados para mantener las condiciones de ensilaje. Los contenidos de materia seca, cenizas, extracto etéreo, fibra detergente neutra y fibra detergente ácida fueron similares (P0,05) entre los tratamientos; sin embargo, el contenido de proteína cruda fue mayor (P0,05) en los tratamientos M:Y e Y. Se concluye que el tomate fresco puede ser ensilado durante 140 días conservando su composición química aun sin el uso de aditivos; sin embargo, la adición de levadura de cervecería con o sin melaza de caña mejora el contenido de proteína cruda del ensilaje.