Chinese Journal of Entomology (1995) 15, 305-319

Pao-Liang Chen and Chain-Ing Shih (1995)
[Population density, infestation rate and distribution of Varroa jacobsoni Oud. in Apis mellifera L. colony]
Chinese Journal of Entomology 15 (4), 305-319
Abstract: Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans populations in honeybee colonies showed seasonal high densities in the spring and autumn of 1992. The occurrences of the high densities of mites were related to the presence of pollen sources, honey flow and brood cells. The density of maternal mites in capped worker cells was significantly correlated with the density of adult bees (r=0.75, p=0.01). Infestation rats and densities of Varroa mites in capped drone cells were higher than those in capped worker cells. Numbers of maternal mites and/or their progeny in drone cells were higher than in worker cells. Food suitability and amount of resources, e.g., food and space, are higher in drone cells than in worker cells. The number of Varroa progeny produced per female in worker cells was higher than that produced in drone cells. However, the number of progeny produced by each female was significantly correlated with their densities of maternal mites in cells (worker cells: r=-0.96, p=0.01; drone cells: r=-0.80, p =0.05). The frequency of Varroa mites parasitizing the abdominal sternum of honeybees was highest among the 4 body parts compared. The difference of the distribution pattern on beehives in the same colony was not significant. The fact that mites concentrated on the 'brood nests' located in the mid-low portion of the comb was consistent with the egg-laying pattern of the queen.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Varroa destructor		Taiwan