Pin-Kill VSH Testing

[D Semple]

Expanding my testing this year

Those of you that have done the Pin-Kill VSH Testing, explain how you have gotten the most reliable data and best results.

Thanks. ....Don

[deknow]

Don, I believe that pin-kill (like freeze-kill) is a standard test for HYG, but VSH is specific to uncapping live infested with varroa. To test for VSH, you need to have varroa infested brood.

deknow

[David LaFerney]

So, if I put a frame of varoa infested brood into my one Russell VSH hive they should visibly rip into it? I'll have to try that.

[deknow]

...I have no idea. I don't know what the "standard" way is that beekeepers test for VSH, or how a Russell queen would score on such a test.

I would ask Rob how VSH is evaluated in his operation, and try to replicate that as closely as possible, at least as a starting point.

http://vshbreeders.org/forum/index.php might be of some help.

deknow

[D Semple]

Don, I believe that pin-kill (like freeze-kill) is a standard test for HYG, but VSH is specific to uncapping live infested with varroa. To test for VSH, you need to have varroa infested brood.

deknow

"Hygienic behavior is one of several known mechanisms of resistance against V. destructor (Peng et al., 1987; reviewed in Boecking and Spivak, 1999). Bees bred for hygienic behavior detect and remove worker brood infested with the parasiticmite Varroa destructor (Spivak, 1996)." http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/apido:2006065

The Pin-killed Hygenic Testing is used very extensively in Europe as an indicator for VSH and is one of their required test for their breeder queens. I just don't speak German well enough to ask my questions and understand their response. (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Toleranzzucht - AGT - http://www.toleranzzucht.de)

Thanks for the link to the VSH breeders forum Dean, I didn't know they thier own forum.

Don