Abstract
Hygienic behavior in honey bees, Apis mellifera, has been studied for over 80 years with the aim of understanding mechanisms of pathogen and parasite resistance and colony health. This review emphasizes the underlying behavioral mechanisms of hygienic behavior in honey bees and when known, in other social insects. We explore the relationship between honey bee hygienic behavior toward diseased brood and Varroa-parasitized brood (Varroa-sensitive hygiene, VSH); the timing of hygienic removal of diseased, Varroa-infested, and virus-infected brood relative to risk of transmission that can affect colony fitness; and the methods, utility, and odorants associated with different assays used to select colonies for resistance to diseases and Varroa. We also provide avenues for future research that would benefit honey bee health and survivorship.
Highlights
Hygienic behavior is an important form of social immunity (Cremer et al 2007) for a number of social insect species
The term hygienic behavior was coined by Rothenbuhler (1964) to describe the process of detection and elimination of diseased brood by adult honey bees (Apis mellifera )
The term “Varroa -sensitive hygiene” (VSH) was coined more recently (Harris 2007) to describe the detection and removal of brood infested with the parasitic mite Varroa destructor by honey bees (Harbo and Harris 2005)
Summary
Hygienic behavior is an important form of social immunity (Cremer et al 2007) for a number of social insect species. The term hygienic behavior was coined by Rothenbuhler (1964) to describe the process of detection and elimination of diseased brood by adult honey bees (Apis mellifera ). The term “Varroa -sensitive hygiene” (VSH) was coined more recently (Harris 2007) to describe the detection and removal of brood infested with the parasitic mite Varroa destructor by honey bees (Harbo and Harris 2005). The early research on this behavior was in relation to honey bee resistance to American foulbrood (caused by Paenibacillus larvae ) and to chalkbrood (caused by Ascosphaera apis ) diseases (Spivak and Gilliam 1998a, b). The goals of this review are to (1) explore the relationship between honey bee hygienic behavior toward diseased brood and Varroa- parasitized brood and (2) provide avenues for future research that would benefit honey bee health and survivorship
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