Organic Honey Bee Colony Management: Mite Resistance Traits
Organic Honey Bee Colony Management: Mite Resistance Traits
Length: 00:01:17 | Robyn Underwood, Ph.D.
What do we mean when we say that a honey bee colony has a Varroa mite resistance trait? Some bees possess behaviors that actively control parasitic mite populations. In this video, we describe how some bees can keep mite levels under control by aggressively grooming (called “mite biters”) or by seeking out and destroying Varroa mites while they are reproducing (called "Varroa sensitive hygiene").
(swarm of bees buzzing)
(single bee buzzing)
(wings flickering)
Honey bees can sometimes work to keep mite levels under control using behaviors, such as aggressive grooming and removal of infested brood.
Some honey bees, called mite biters, are able to recognize the threat of Varroa mites and groom them off themselves and their nestmates.
In the process, they damage the mites by biting their legs and bodies.
This causes the mites to fall to the bottom of the hive and die, reducing their population.
Some bees are able to recognize that a capped cell is infested by mites.
When they do, they uncap the cell and remove the pupa.
This stops the reproduction of the mites in the cell.
Bees that can do this are said to exhibit Varroa Sensitive Hygiene, VSH.
Starting with the best, most mite-resistant bees is your best chance to keep mite populations low.
Seek out these genetics when you are looking to purchase bees and queens.
(swarm of bees buzzing)
(single bee buzzing)
(wings flickering)
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