Journal of Applied Scienes Research, 5(2): 151-157, 2009 © 2009, INSInet Publication Control of Varroa Mite (Varroa Destructor) on Honey Bees by Sycamore Leaves (Ficus Sycomorus) Romeh, A.A. Plant Production Dept., Efficient productivity Inst. Zagazig Univ. Egypt. Abstract: The effect of sycamore leaves ( Ficus Sycamorus) against varroa mites in honey bee colonies was studied. The percentage of infestation by varroa mites on worker brood, adult workers and number of dead varroa fallen on the sheet were determined in the tested colonies. The percentage of varroa infestation on the worker brood and adult worker reduced to 94.8 and96.18% after the fourth week of exposed to the smoke of ten grams of sycamore leaves and reduced to 96.38 and 98.09% after fourth weeks of treatment with oxalic acid. Treatment with the extract of methylene chloride of sycamore leaves caused the highest number of dead varroa fallen on the sheet in comparison with the other tested extracts and control. Sycamore leaves constituents were identified by GC/MS and these components arrived to 30 compounds. Key words: sycamore leaves, varroa mites. INTRODUCTION Honey bee colonies are subject to infestation by insects, mites and diseases. The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman), . is considered one [5] of the most serious pests of beehives, causing tremendous damage to honey bees ( Apis mellifera L) and great economic loss to the beekeeping industry . Parasitism [6,19,2] can result in a loss of up to 25% of adult weight, severe deformations of the wing and reduced longevity of worker and drone honey bees . Colonies infested with [11,10,16] Varroa destructor have significantly reduced worker bee populations and eventually die if left without controlling . The development of infested brood is also affected [14,1,25] because emerged bees have a low weight and shorter life span. This has a negative effect on honey production and other beehive products . Efforts to control varroosis [31] have been focused on the use of control synthetic miticides.Som of these have a high degree on the mite, however, these miticides have important disadvantages: they may promote the mites to develop resistance against their active ingredient, they are toxic to bees and humans and may leave chemical residues in honey which is a product for human consumption . In the short [18,22,13,28,23] term, mite control may be achieved by using natural miticides, which have low Toxicity and low environmental impact, because no residues are left in honey or because these breakdown or volatilized rapidly . Few natural products have shown effectiveness [7,20] against varroa, formic acid, oxalic acids and thymol essential oil are among them . Phyto therapy was [15,29,12] used in varrosis control using the following plants: garlic (Allium sativum). Tobacco (Nicotina tabacum), walnut (Juglans regia), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Worm wood (Artemisia absinthium). Pine (Pinus sylvestris), tansey (Tanacetum vulgare) and other. The 50 up to 80% efficiency using these plants was attained when their extracts were applied 2-3 times a week . The [4,17] experimental reported here were carried out to investigate the role of sycamore leaves (Ficus sycamorus) as control agent against varroa mite depending on the reduction in percent in and the number of fallen mites. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental Honeybee Colonies: The field part of the present investigations was carried out in an apiary located at Tallen, Menia El-Kamh center, Sharkia governorate during spring season of 2007. Two experiments were carried out. Thirty colonies of hybrid Italian honeybees, ( Apis mellifera ) L. naturally heavily infested by varroa mites were used for this study. Three colonies were used for each treatment and the three untreated colonies were left as control. Control Agents Treatments: Each experimental colony was exposed to the smoke of five and ten grams of sycamore dry leaves ( Ficus sycamorus) as carried out by . The dry leaves were placed in a lighted smoker with [27] burlap and fifteen puffs were blown inside the hive through the entrance. The entrance was blocked for fifteen minutes and the colony was completely closed from all sides. Oxalic acid 3% was sprayed directly - on bee one time at the rate of 3-4 ml per comb side. The treatments were repeated every seven days with four applications during each period (28-days).A sample containing 10 gm of sycamore dry leaves was extracted with 100 ml of each methylene chloride, diethyl ether, petroleum ether, Corresponding Author: Dr.Ahmed Ali Romeh, Plant Production Dept., Efficient productivity Inst. Zagazig Univ. Egypt. Email: ahmedromeh2006@yahoo.com, 151