Honey bee mite disruptive compounds and methods of application
This disclosure describes compounds that affect the olfactory responses of the honey bee mite ( Varroa destructor ) and methods of use thereof. The compounds do not kill Varroa destructor , and are therefore unlikely to generate Varroa destructor resistance, compared to an acaricide. The compounds can work in conjunction with other mite control approaches, such as a bottom board excluder and sticky board control devices, and can enhance the performance of other forms of mite control while decreasing disadvantages associated therewith.
1. A method of treating Varroa destructor infection of a bee colony, comprising:
(A) providing a compound of Formula (II):
wherein:
R 3 is selected from C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl, and
R 4 is selected from C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl; and
(B) placing the compound of Formula (II) in a bee colony enclosure.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 3 is C 1-3 alkyl.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 4 is methyl or ethyl.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein R 4 is methyl.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying
(A) a compound of Formula (I):
wherein:
OR 2 is an ortho, meta, or para substituent relative to OR′,
R 1 is selected from C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl, and
R 2 is selected from C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl;
(B) a compound of Formula (Ic):
or
(C) a compound of Formula (II):
wherein:
R 3 is selected from C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl, and
R 4 is selected from C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl;
to a brood cell in a bee colony enclosure.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising removing a drone brood comb from the bee colony enclosure after placing the compound of Formula (II) in a bee colony enclosure, or
further comprising heat-treating a drone trapping comb after placing the compound of Formula (II) in a bee colony enclosure, or
further comprising removing and heat-treating worker bees after placing the compound of Formula (II) in a bee colony enclosure, or
further comprising confining a queen bee prior to, during, or after placing the compound of Formula (II) in a bee colony enclosure, or
further comprising placing a sticky mite-trapping bottom board in a bee colony enclosure, or
any combination thereof.