IMPACT OF VARROA DESTRUCTOR INFESTATION ON THE BODY WEIGHT OF DEVELOPING HONEYBEE BROOD AND EMERGING ADULTS

The studies were conducted during 2006-07 and 2007-08 on the bioecology and management of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) mites with special reference to Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman infesting honeybee colonies. The studies revealed that mite infestation had a pronounced influence on the body weight of developing worker and drone brood and emerging adults. In case of drones infested with 1-3 mites (slightly infested), the body weight loss ranged from 8.58 to 11.92 % which averaged 10.33 %. However, in case of drone adults infested with 3-5 mites (moderately infested), the body weight loss ranged from 17.09 to 19.33 %, which averaged to 18.26 %. Similarly, in case of worker adult bees, the percent weight loss ranged between 9.45 to 12.43 % and the average weight loss was 11.09 %. In case of worker adults infested with 3-5 mites, the loss ranged between 14.96 to 19.71 % and the average weight loss was 17.53 %. Similar reductions were found in pupae of drones and workers infested with Varroa mite. Evidently, infested colonies had weak workers and drones and exhibited reduced honey gathering and pollination activities.