In message <000d01c36899$ebec1af0$91b472d8@SOD>, Todd
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>Apparently A. Cerana has some very specialized behavior that allow it to
>deal with varroa.  Workers pierce the cappings of drone cells, "inspecting"
>them for varroa contamination, discarding those infected.
This is the hygienic trait, well known in A.m. and whilst it appears
that one set of bees uncap, another set remove infected larvae. It needs
both traits in the colony to make up hygiene. I believe that the so-
called "pepperpot" pattern associated with foul brood, chalk brood and
now varroa, is a sign of hygienic bees, to be valued. FWIW I was taught
that A.c. workers were not strong enough to uncap drones, which had to
let themselves out, and it is the infected workers which are removed
(though less prone). This meant that multiply infected drones were too
weak to let themselves out and died along with the varroa. This was one
factor which helps limit the varroa numbers to about 800 per colony. Can
anyone confirm this?
>  Other varroa
>related mechanisms also seem to be in place, allowing A.C. workers to
>communicate in ways A.M. cannot.
Again, A.m. does have some - grooming is one, though I don't know if the
behaviour is identical - I have heard that A.m. have been seen calling
for grooming when needed. Certainly we have had some locals saying they
have none to few mites falling through the mesh floors which might
indicate SMR.
--
James Kilty

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