As I was preparing my mite model, I discussed this issue with Dr Stephen Martin, who published the attached graph in Fight the Mite.  When you do the math, knocking off the last possible daughter (of the three that could potentially emerge from a full 12-day postcapping duration) just doesn't make much difference in varroa reproductive success.


Awesome image to put things in perspective.   We hear all the time about shorter duration being the key.  Interesting to put it in real perspective.

Curious  do we know how many times a foundress mite may cycle?   If I use the numbers on the graph as success  and then compare it to your spreadsheet, there is a huge difference in "fertile" mites?

Wondering if a late season (July) time frame maybe the foundress mite may get more cycles  explaining some of the Aug spikes?? 

Charles

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