The influence of pollen storage area and Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans parasitism on temporal caste structure in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Summary:

The influence of colony pollen storage and pupal infestation by the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni on worker longevity, foraging age, and behavior were investigated in the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. Workers reared in colonies with low pollen stores began foraging at younger ages and may have had shorter lifespans than workers reared in colonies with high pollen availability. Similarly, workers began foraging at younger ages and had shorter lifespans when they had been infested by V. jacobsoni as pupae. The decrease in foraging age and possibly lifespan caused by the pupal infestation was offset by the colony's pollen environment during brood rearing. Therefore, temporal task schedules are affected by both colony investment and parasitism by V. jacobsoni during brood rearing.