Abstract
OneApis mellifera and oneApis cerana observation hive were used to test the response to individually introducedVarroa jacobsoni mites. Within 60s, 88.6% of the involved cerana worker bees (n=44) showed auto-grooming behaviour. Within 5 min, allo-grooming behaviour, involving up to four nestmates, was observed in 33.3% of the infested bees. Successful mite removal was observed in 75% of the not-prematurely discontinued observations (n=36); 32% of the mites removed were caught with the mandibles.
For mellifera auto-grooming behaviour was observed in most cases but delayed in comparison to cerana, and allo-grooming behaviour was rarely observed. Within 5 min, 48% of the mites in notprematurely discontinued observations (n=25) were removed, but none of the mites was caught with the mandibles.
ForApis dorsata auto-grooming behaviour in response to the infestation withTropilaelaps clareae andVarroa mites is reported for the first time.Varroa was removed at a higher rate thanTropilaelaps. The higher survival chance ofTropilaelaps seems to be due to differences in mite behaviour and the preference for certain parts of the bee-body.
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Büchler, R., Drescher, W. & Tornier, I. Grooming behaviour ofApis cerana, Apis mellifera andApis dorsata and its effect on the parasitic mitesVarroa jacobsoni andTropilaelaps clareae . Exp Appl Acarol 16, 313–319 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01218573
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01218573