Development of Varroa jacobsoni in colonies of Apis mellifera capensis and Apis mellifera carnica

Abstract - Honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera carnica), infested with Varroa jacobsoni were dequeened and divided into 2 subunits. Each pair of subunits were requeened with an inseminated A m capensis and A m carnica queen. The development of the mite population was monitored by determining the number of mites in samples of brood, and worker bees, and the number of dead mites on the bottom board of the hive. The mite population showed a restricted development in A m capensis colonies. Varroa mites were found at surprisingly low frequencies on adult worker bees of the Cape honeybee. A more efficient grooming activity, in combination with the short post-capping stage of the brood, may be the central factors for the restricted development of the mite population in A m capensis.