Where does the Varroa mite reproduce? - briefly
The Varroa destructor reproduces within the sealed brood cells of honey‑bee larvae, laying eggs on the developing pupae. Reproduction occurs exclusively in these capped cells before the adult bee emerges.
Where does the Varroa mite reproduce? - in detail
Varroa destructor reproduces exclusively inside the sealed brood cells of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). The female mite penetrates a cell that has been provisioned with a larva but has not yet been capped. After the worker or drone larva is sealed, the mite initiates oviposition. The first egg, the foundress, is laid on the ventral side of the host pupa within 30 hours of cell closure. A second egg, destined to become a male, is deposited 60 hours later. Subsequent eggs alternate sex, producing a cohort of offspring that develop in synchrony with the host pupa.
Key characteristics of the reproductive environment:
- Cell type – drone cells provide a longer developmental period (≈24 days) and higher mite fecundity; worker cells support reproduction with a shorter cycle (≈12 days).
- Temperature – optimal brood temperature (34–35 °C) ensures normal development of both host and mite.
- Humidity – relative humidity of 50–70 % maintains egg viability.
- Timing – oviposition occurs only after the cell is capped; uncapped cells do not support mite reproduction.
Mite offspring undergo successive molts within the cell, emerging as adult females ready to disperse before the adult bee emerges. A small proportion of females may enter queen cells, but successful reproduction in these cells is rare due to the brief development time of the queen larva. The reproductive cycle is thus tightly coupled to the host’s brood development, limiting Varroa proliferation to periods when suitable capped cells are available.