A technique for reproduction of Varroa jacobsoni Oud under laboratory conditions

Abstract - Varroa jacobsoni females were taken from bee larvae within 0-15 h of capping and transferred to larvae of the same age in artificial cells, 5.8-7.0 mm in diameter, made of beeswax or gelatin. The percentage of fertile Varroa females in gelatin cells was at least 3 times higher than in beeswax cells of similar diameter. The proportion of reproducing females was higher for both materials in narrower cells. In 6.0-mm gelatin cells the average proportion of reproducing females was 62% and the number of offspring per reproducing female 3.5. About 1 adult daughter per 2 starting Varroa mothers was obtained.