In a message dated 02/15/2000 11:08:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<  Mites on a frame are already in the vicinity of an ideal environment (in
a beehive
 surrounded by potential hosts) whereas mites in other locations can be
considered away from potential hosts.  Mites and ticks are not hunters per
se, they are opportunists.  They do not seek out their prey, they lie in wait
for a host to happen by, in which case they pounce. >>

Hello Arron and Friends,

The distance a mite is willing to travel is a very intriguing subject.  I
understand the mites can live for days away from a host.  Perhaps they do
just lie in wait and then grab a ride of opportunity.  When (or if) they will
travel 'great' distances is still a matter of conjecture, it appears.  When I
get my screens on the hives, I will gather a few live mites and put them in a
'crawling contest.'  I am going to put them in the middle of a 3 or 4 foot
square of paper in a draft free room, and check the progress till they wilt
in their tracks!  Even if they only move 3/4", I will have the satisfaction
of seeing them wilt.  Either way, I win!  I would assume they might move
farther if they are away from the combs.  I have seen turtles strolling
around great distances from lakes.  They seem to be motivated to move around
at mating season.  I know they don't belong in the middle of the road, but I
have seen a lot of them there.  Perhaps there are stimuli which would cause
the mites to move farther than we have observed, to date.

I think they would move a fair distance if they were hungry, but I don't know
if the little buggars are inspired to move by hunger.  Just what situations
do inspire the mite to travel around on all eights?  One thing for sure is,
they have been very effective in moving all over the world!  If they only
travel 3/4" in a single hike, it would seem that they wouldn't have spread so
rapidly.

I recently bought some drone foundation with the intent of trapping the adult
Varroa in the drone brood, in a manner which has been discussed on this list.
If the mites only move very short distances in a hive, how would the mites
get into the drone frame cells from all of the other areas of the hive?  I
found 5 mites in one drone cell this week!  Does the drone comb cause the
mites to bail off the bees that crawl on it?

Bob Bassett   -  Just thought I'd ask