ABSTRACT
The first official notification of Varroa jacobsoni in Italy came in 1981 from areas near Yugoslavia. From then on, reports of the mite presence have multiplied, eventually regarding all regions. Sardinia and Sicily appear seriously affected.
The information reported here forms part of the observations made by the various research institutes collaborating in our country on an Apicultural Research Project supported by the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione.
Varroa jacobsoni was first officially notified in Italy from areas near Yugoslavia in 1981 (2). From then on, multiplying reports of the mite regarded many other regions: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1981 (2); Lazio, 1982 (1); Tuscany, 1982 (1); Umbria, 1982; Sardinia, 1983 (4); Lombardy, 1983 (5); Campania, 1983; Sicily, 1983; Veneto, 1984; Emilia, 1984; Puglia, 1984; Liguria, 1985; Marche, 1985; Abruzzo, 1985; Piemonte, 1985; Basilicata, 1985; Calabria, 1985. High infestations were reported from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the north, Tuscany and Campania in the central region, and Puglia in the south. Southern areas as well as Sicily and Sardinia show the heavier infestations, with environmental conditions favouring the development and diffusion of the mite (Fig. 1). The present situation in the latter region is particularly serious; many of the apiaries are so badly infested that colony losses are as much as 65% (Tab. 1). After the issue of Ministerial Circular Notices at national level, many Regional Governments have sought to restrain diffusion of the pest by way of legal provisions aimed at localizing the infested areas and prohibiting transfer of the colonies unless accompanied by a clean certificate of health (3).
