Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Pests and Diseases => Topic started by: Jen on April 01, 2021, 03:40:51 pm

Title: Mites On Queens
Post by: Jen on April 01, 2021, 03:40:51 pm
In the beginning of my beekeeping adventures, that would be 15+ years now, I've seen mite attacks from just a few mites on my sticky boards, to mite attacks in the thousands. As the hive dwindles I notice that the queen is not affected by the mites. The queen has no mites on her body! Why is this?
Title: Re: Mites On Queens
Post by: The15thMember on April 01, 2021, 03:49:23 pm
Queens do get mites on them occasionally, but I don't believe they are more or less attractive to the mites than any other bees, so the probability that a mite will pick out the queen in all those thousands of bees in the hive just isn't there, I guess.  Here's a short article and a picture of a queen with a varroa mite on her back.
https://www.honeybeesuite.com/seeking-taste-royal-blood/

I don't know this, but I'd also guess that since the queen's retinue grooms her regularly, they may remove any mites that get on her. 
Title: Re: Mites On Queens
Post by: iddee on April 01, 2021, 05:44:14 pm
What member said X 2.
Title: Re: Mites On Queens
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 02, 2021, 09:50:27 am
I think Queens without mites might be attributed to the retinue of bees that groom her and feed her.   Also, a Queen will emerge from the Queen cell in 16 days.  Mites prefer a longer time in the cell which is why they prefer Drone larvae.  Drones will emerge after 24 days.

I reread 15thMember's post and see that we are in agreement about the queen's retinue.
Title: Re: Mites On Queens
Post by: Jen on April 02, 2021, 12:32:27 pm
Fascinating! and Of Course! I don't know why the grooming factor didn't occur to me. I thought that maybe the queens abdomen was tougher and the mites couldn't bite into it. Thanks!  ;D