The Varroa paradox: infestation levels and hygienic behavior in feral scutellata-hybrid and managed Apis mellifera ligustica honey bees.

ABSTRACT: The Varroa destructor mite is a parasitic threat to managed and feral honey bee colonies around the world. Beekeepers use miticides to eliminate Varroa in commercial hives, but these chemicals can diminish bee health and increase miticide resistance. In contrast, feral honey bees have developed multiple ways to counteract mites without chemical treatment. We compared mite levels, grooming habits, and mite-biting behavior between feral Africanized honey bees (genomically verified Apis mellifera scutellata hybrids) and managed Italian honey bees (A. mellifera ligustica). Surprisingly, there was no difference in mite infestation levels between scutellata-hybrids and managed bees over one year despite the regular use of miticides in managed colonies. We also found no differences in the social

SUBMITTER: Mukogawa B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10784517 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature