VARROA JACOBSONI DOES REPRODUCE IN WORKER CELLS OF APIS CERANA IN SOUTH KOREA David DE JONG Apidologie 1988  19 (3)	

Contrary to previous reports from Sri Lanka and Indonesia of an inability of Varroa jacobsoni to reproduce on worker brood of its original host, Apis cerana, successful reproduction in worker cells was found in Apis cerana colonies in South Korea. 

Varroa jacobsoni, an ectoparasitic bee mite, causes extensive damage to Apis mellifera colonies in much of the world, however the original host, Apis cerana is reported as little affected.  KOENIGER et al. (1981, 1983) reported that Varroa greatly prefers drone over worker brood, and only reproduces in the drone brood of Apis cerana colonies in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. In Apis mellifera the mites also prefer drone cells, but can reproduce effectively in both worker and drone cells.

During two visits to South Korea in 1986 and 1987, combs from five Apis cerana colonies from four apiaries located in four separate provinces were examined for Varroa jacobsoni infestations. Sealed brood  cells were opened individually with the aid of a forceps and both the larva or pupa and the interior of the cell examined carefully for mites. An evaluation of mite reproduction was made for all mites found associated with bee pupae. 

It is clearly demonstrated that Varroa jacobsoni can reproduce in both worker and drone cells of Apis cerana, though there is a preference for drone brood. Mite progeny which have attained the deutonymphal stage on a worker pupa can be expected to attain the adult phase by the time the bee emerges. Therefore their appearance signifies an effective reproduction. The supposed recent adaptation of Varroa jacobsoni for reproduction on Apis mellifera worker brood had apparently already occurred on the original host, Apis cerana. 
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