Presenter of 2 Presentations
MORPHOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF VARROA SP. AND NOSEMA SP. IN BEES FROM THE STATE OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO (ID 236)
Abstract
Introduction
Beekeeping is the set of techniques related to the handling, breeding, and products of bees (production of queen bees) and by-products such as honey, royal jelly, propolis, wax, and pollen. Mexico has a beekeeping inventory of more than 1.9 million hives, its honey production is more than 70 thousand tons/year. Aggravating elements that contribute to the destruction of hives are the use of pesticides, monocultures, and parasitic diseases of bees, such as varroasis, acarapisosis, and nosemosis.
Methods
Specimens were collected from Ciudad Juárez, Hidalgo del Parral, Ignacio Allende Valley, Jiménez, Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Delicias, Aldama, and Meoqui, all cities in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. In each of the sites, specimens from beekeeping centers and wild bees were collected, obtaining a total of 39 samples of 60 bees. For the detection of Varroa sp. and Nosema sp., specifications and techniques used are established in Mexican Official Standard NOM-056-ZOO-1995, while for the detection of Acarapis woodi, it was by direct preparation.
Results
From the samples analyzed (39), Nosema sp. was observed in 100% presenting a very slight severity (0.01 to 1.0 million spores per bee). For Varroa sp., 100% of the analyzed apiaries were positive in different degrees of infestation; however, in the samples of wild bees, they were not found, except in the city of Jiménez. There was no detection of Acarapis woodi in any of the samples analyzed.
Conclusions
Nosemosis is a disease that occurs in adult bees, affecting the intestine-ventricle of bees weakening their organism. Varroa mites penetrate between the abdominal plates of the bees to suck the hemolymph, presenting damage and shortening their life, changing their behavior, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
TRANSMISSION OF MALARIA IN AN ENDEMIC AREA OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO (2019-2021)- RECOLLECTIONS FROM THE FIELD (ID 547)
Abstract
Introduction
The transmission of malaria in Mexico is concentrated in well-defined foci mainly on the Pacific coast. In the southwestern region of the state of Chihuahua, the municipality of Batopilas de Manuel Gómez Morín accounts for over half of all malaria reported cases in the state. The natural characteristics and sociodemographic conditions of the region have presented a historical challenge for the application and monitoring of health and vector control programs. We constituted a multidisciplinary research group with the idea to maximize the efforts and available human and economical resources to study malaria and other vector-borne diseases in the region.
Methods
"Entomovet" is a multidisciplinary group formed by researchers and UG/PG students from the two local state universities, with the participation of other research centers and universities, as well as the state of Chihuahua's Health Services through the Epidemiology Deputy Direction and the Vector-borne Diseases Program.
Results
Two field trips were carried out in Batopilas in 2019 and 2021. Proposed activities were presented to the state and local health authorities as well as to other relevant actors on-site. Immature and adult mosquitoes were collected along with personnel from the Vector Control Group. Other activities have included free veterinary services and screening for ectoparasites, science outreach activities for local children, and other vector collections.
Conclusions
Multidisciplinary activities in the region have proven to give a wider perspective of the conditions of the population that live in endemic areas of transmission. Particularly, the social, demographic, historical, and cultural characteristics must be considered when integrating health and malaria control programs.