NEW ASPECTS REGARDING GROOMING ANTIVARROA BEHAVIOUR OF APIS MELLIFERA CARPATICA
NEW ASPECTS REGARDING GROOMING ANTIVARROA BEHAVIOUR OF APIS MELLIFERA CARPATICA

Summary/Abstract: Grooming behaviour of the race Apis mellifera carpatica in relation to Varroa destructor was studied in an experimental apiary. There are two behaviors of the honey bee related to Varroa mite: hygienic behavior and grooming behavior. Studies have shown that Apis mellifera carpatica colonies remove worker brood infested with Varroa destructor mites from the nest (hygienic behavior), and groom the mites off themselves and from other adult bees (grooming behavior). Preliminary research revealed the connection between the treatments against Varroa with an organic product based on oxalic acid and an increased level of grooming behaviour of the honey bee under these circumstances. Three different types of parasitic mite chitin lesions have been observed by laboratory exams. This paper presents these three types of Varroa mite lesions and their natural causes.

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