Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 November 2020
Essential oils produced by plants are a rich source of metabolites that can have toxic or behaviour-modifying effects on arthropods. Some essential oils have shown promise in management of the mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Mesostigmata: Varroidae), a parasite of western honey bees, Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Essential oil and its components from common yarrow, Achillea millefolium Linnaeus (Asteraceae), are reported to have both insecticidal and repellent properties for other arthropod pests and may have activity against V. destructor. Here, we evaluate responses of V. destructor towards common yarrow essential oil using gas chromatography paired with electrotarsal detection. We identified 38 essential oil components that elicited electrophysiological responses from V. destructor. Components of common yarrow essential oil identified as electrophysiologically active in this study are reported elsewhere as active components of other management strategies for V. destructor infestations (e.g., thyme oil; Thymus sp. (Lamiaceae)). Pending behavioural assessment, the efficacy of common yarrow essential oil in honey bee colonies infested by V. destructor should be explored in field conditions.
Present address: Department of Forestry, University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture and Design, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B3, Canada
Subject editor: Maya Evenden