Trade-off between survival and male reproduction in Varroa destructor infested honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera)

Abstract

Co-evolution between parasites and their host can lead to dramatic changes in the life history of the host species. In this study we tested the male mating success of 31 honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies infested with the brood parasitic mite Varroa destructor and analysed the consequences of sexual reproduction on colony survival in a closed population on a Mediterranean island. We found that colonies which successfully reproduced via males had a significantly increased mortality during the following season. They also showed a higher investment in the production of drones than unsuccessful ones, while overall colony size was not significantly different. Since honeybee colonies boost their mite population as soon as they start sexual male reproduction, drone production may result in increased mortality. Because this mechanism selects for colonies which produce relatively few or no male sexuals, this change in life history might form an evolutionary constraint for A. mellifera in its co-evolution with the V. destructor mite, as high numbers of males are essential in the highly polyandrous mating system of A. mellifera.