EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE POPULATION OF VARROA DESTRUCTOR IN APIS MELLIFERA L. COLONIES

Maximum number of mites was observed in second fortnight of May (38 and 51 mites/per hive) which was found significantly positively correlated with maximum (r = 0.659) and minimum (r = 0.648) temperature. However, V. destructor population was found negatively correlated with relative humidity (-0.416) and sunshine hours (-0.023). Rainfall was found none significantly correlated (0.019) with V. destructor population. Data suggested that during summer months, when temperature is high and flower availability is less, mite population increases in Apis mellifera L. colonies.