NZQA Expiring unit standard version 3 Page 1 of 5. Demonstrate knowledge of the varroa mite and its control in the beekeeping industry

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1 Page 1 of 5 Title Demonstrate knowledge of the varroa mite and its control in the beekeeping industry Level 3 Credits 6 Purpose People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: the history of varroa mite in New Zealand, and implications for the beekeeping industry; the life cycle and population growth of the varroa mite; the effects of the varroa mite on bee colonies; the methods for detection and evaluation of varroa mite infestations; chemical and biotechnical controls of varroa mite; and the use and timing of integrated pest management (IPM) for varroa mite control. Classification Agriculture > Apiculture Available grade Achieved Explanatory notes 1 Legislation includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Biosecurity Act 1993, and their subsequent amendments. 2 Reference Goodwin, Mark and Taylor, Michelle, Control of Varroa A Guide for New Zealand Beekeepers (Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, revised edition 2007), available from the National Beekeepers Association of NZ (Inc) (NBA) website at or secretary@nba.org.nz. Outcomes and evidence requirements Outcome 1 Describe the history of varroa mite in New Zealand, and implications for the beekeeping industry. 1.1 The history of varroa mite is described in terms of its relationship to honey bees, and its introduction into New Zealand. 1.2 The varroa mite is described in terms of the results of no action, steps for control, and the implications of the use of chemicals in the beekeeping industry.

2 Page 2 of 5 Outcome 2 Describe the life cycle and population growth of the varroa mite. 2.1 The varroa mite is described in terms of its identifying features. size, colour, shape, movement. 2.2 The varroa mite is described in terms of its activity within the beehive, and methods of infestation between beehives. 2.3 The varroa mite is described in terms of its life cycle within the beehive. 2.4 Population growth rates of varroa mite are described in terms of the affects on bee population growth rate, and methods for population growth control. reproduction process and population growth rate, invasion and population growth rate, acute versus chronic infestation, control methods and population growth rates. Outcome 3 Describe the effects of the varroa mite on bee colonies. 3.1 The varroa mite is described in terms of the effects on adult bees. haemolymph, viral infection. 3.2 The varroa mite is described in terms of the effects on bee larvae or pupae. evidence is required for at least six effects. 3.3 The varroa mite is described in terms of the effects on feral and managed bee colonies. effects on colony production, pollination. 3.4 The varroa mite is described in terms of its contribution to the presence of parasitic mite syndrome. Outcome 4 Describe the methods for detection and evaluation of varroa mite infestations. 4.1 Varroa mite infestations are described in terms of the visual symptoms present in bees, larvae, and pupae.

3 Page 3 of Varroa mite infestations are described in terms of the methods for detection in beehives, and the advantages, disadvantages, and threshold for each detection method. sampling, visual inspection (bees, brood), ether roll; soapy water or alcohol, sugar shake, mesh bottom boards; chemical detection Apistan, Bayvarol, formic acid. 4.3 Methods of detection of varroa mite infestations are compared and evaluated for a given situation. cost, time required, visits needed, sensitivity, reliability. 4.4 Sticky boards and mesh bottom boards are described in terms of construction and use in determining reduction of varroa mite population levels. Outcome 5 Describe chemical and biotechnical controls of varroa mite. 5.1 Synthetic chemicals used for varroa mite control are described in terms of method of application, effectiveness, and limitations. fluvalinate (Apistan), flumethrin (Bayvarol), coumaphos (Check- Mite+, Perizin), cymiazole (Apitol), bromopropylate (Folbex), amitraz (Apivar). 5.2 Organic chemicals used for varroa mite control are described in terms of application methods, effectiveness, and limitations. essential oils thymol, apiguard, apilife VAR, thymovar, food grade mineral oil; organic acids formic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid; vegetable and other oils, icing sugar. 5.3 Chemical control of varroa mite is described in terms of residue effects and ways residue can be minimised. evidence is required for at least five ways to minimise residue. 5.4 Chemical resistance in varroa mite is described in terms of the reasons for its occurrence, cross resistance, methods for slowing resistance, and methods for measuring resistance.

4 Page 4 of Biotechnical controls of varroa mite are described in terms of methods, advantages and disadvantages. worker brood removal, drone brood trapping, hive splitting, queen isolation, mesh bottom boards, pollen trap, heat treatment, change of cell size, eliminating production of drone brood. Outcome 6 Describe the use and timing of integrated pest management (IPM) for varroa mite control. 6.1 IPM is described in terms of economic threshold. 6.2 IPM is described in terms of monitoring. acute stage, chronic stage, number of hives to survey. 6.3 IPM is described in terms of the choice of control method for a given situation. availability, cost, residues, resistance, toxicity, environmental concerns. 6.4 The timing of a varroa control programme is described in terms of the factors to be taken into account when deciding when to treat hives for varroa mite. evidence is required for at least four factors. 6.5 Types of treatment programme are described in terms of timing, and advantages and disadvantages for specified situations. prophylactic treatment, calendar treatment, treatment based on monitoring and economic thresholds, IPM. 6.6 The timing of treatments is described in terms of advantages for varroa mite control. reducing residues, changes to management programmes, coordinated treatments, spring treatments, autumn treatments. Replacement information This unit standard and unit standard were replaced by unit standard This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.

5 Page 5 of 5 Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions Process Version Date Last Date for Assessment Registration 1 22 October December 2019 Review 2 21 August December 2019 Review 3 14 December December 2019 Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference 0052 This CMR can be accessed at Please note Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.