Jim Wrote:
>The absolute number of mites is not important at all,
>nor is it more correct to count only the mature (reddish-brown)
>mites than it is to count all mites, including the white
>(immature/non-reproductive) ones. 

I don’t do mite counts, but I would like to make comment:

Counting all aged mites and sexes of mites the same is simply a NUMBER 
that tells the beekeeper nothing about how the colony may be dealing with 
the mites.  The only thing overall mite counts tell you accurately is the 
number of mites that fell to the floor.  This number suggests in no way 
what the colony may have done to cause the mite to fall to the floor.   

If you count white (immature mites) and tan (male mites) separate from the 
red (adult females).  And damaged adult females separate from non damaged 
adult females. Now you have some information that is useful, and can give 
a beekeeper a clue that might suggest how the bees are attempting to cope 
with the mites.  Then the beekeeper can go into the broodnest for 
verification.

Consider *Varroa mites molt 2 times during development under the capped 
cell and appear white for a few hours to about a day after molting, 
immature mites are white, * male mites are tan and cannot live outside the 
capped brood cell,  * the first mite laid in the cell does not reach 
maturity till the 17 or 18 day of the honeybees metamorphosis.

Finding tan and white mites in the debris would be valuable information, 
as it would suggest that the bees are uncapping cells or chewing down 
brood on or before the 17 or 18 day of bee development.  Finding many male 
and immature females might be suggestive of severe mite pressure in 
developing worker brood, and would be cause for further investigation.

Damaged adult females for obvious reasons might be suggestive of grooming 
abilities.  And non damaged mites may suggest a clumsy or ill varroa mite.

Now you have a tool that can help identify desired traits, and may help in 
the selection process, instead of a bunch of numbers and slapping in 
treatments.

Best Wishes,

Joe Waggle 
Ecologicalbeekeeping.com 
‘Bees Gone Wild Apiaries' 
Feral Bee Project:

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