Assessing the parasitazion preferences of Varroa destructor mites on the bodies of adult honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor continues to be the top cause for concern regarding honey bee (Apis mellifera) health. Varroa mites feed on the fat body tissue of developing and adult bees, and serve as prolific vectors of several honey bee-associated viruses. Therefore, high Varroa mite infestations can lead to colony collapse, and often death. The goal of this study is to assess the behavioral preference for Varroa mites when parasitizing the body of adult honey bee workers, as well as when idling on the surface of comb frames. To do this, we performed an experiment in which we collected adult Varroa mites from highly parasitized colonies and applied neon paint marks of various colors on their idiosoma. We then inserted the mites into a three-frame observation colony and monitored their behavior using a black light to keep track of their location and behavior throughout the experiment. Our results show that Varroa mites were most commonly found on the abdomen of bees, followed by the thorax and head.

Overall, our results highlight the importance of understanding the interactions between Varroa mites and their honey bee hosts. In addition, our study provides valuable insights into the distribution patterns of Varroa mites on honey bees, which may help inform the development of more targeted and effective control strategies.