Abstract
This study evaluated the level of invasion of Varroa mite into worker brood cells, the infestation rate on adult worker honeybees, total and effective reproduction rates of the mite in Africanized honeybee colonies under royal jelly or honey production. Invasion and infestation rates were not statistically different between honeybee colonies producing honey or royal jelly and the averages for these parameters were 5.79 and 8.54%, respectively. Colonies producing honey presented a higher (p < 0.05) total and effective reproduction of Varroa than colonies producing royal jelly. There was a negative correlation between levels of invasion and infestation with minimum external temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The variables month and season influenced the development of the mite, but rates were low and within the range normally found in Brazil for Africanized honeybee colonies, which confirm the greater resistance of these honeybees to Varroa destructor than European honeybees.
Highlights
The mite Varroa destructor represents a huge concern in beekeeping and has been investigated as a major contributor to the mortality of colonies in much of the world (Genersch et al, 2010)
The recent introduction of a new haplotype K of the Varroa mite in Brazil may be related to increased reproductive capacity of this parasite, as this haplotype is found in regions with records of great damage caused by varroasis (Carneiro et al, 2007)
Oxley et al (2010) observed that hygienic behavior is influenced by three pairs of genes and Harris (2007) found a genetic association between hygienic behavior and the level of infestation of adult honeybees by Varroa destructor mite
Summary
The mite Varroa destructor represents a huge concern in beekeeping and has been investigated as a major contributor to the mortality of colonies in much of the world (Genersch et al, 2010). Oxley et al (2010) observed that hygienic behavior is influenced by three pairs of genes and Harris (2007) found a genetic association between hygienic behavior and the level of infestation of adult honeybees by Varroa destructor mite. In this sense, Goode et al (2006) found that the behavioral profile of hygienic honeybees is driven by several factors including genetic, neural, social and environmental factors. This study assessed the level of invasion of the mite into worker brood cells, the infestation level on adult honeybees, the total and effective reproduction rates of the mite in Africanized honeybee colonies of Apis mellifera and if these parameters are influenced by the production of royal jelly or honey
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