Preference of the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni for drone brood cells of its host Apismellifera is very obvious and was noted by various authors (Grobov, 1977; Smirnov, 1979). Drone cell preference (DCP) is partly influenced by the proper- ties of the brood cells. Larger cells contain higher numbers of mites (Message and Gonçalves, 1983). Cells protruding over the comb surface either naturally (de Jong and Morse, 1988) or induced by partly filling them with melted wax (de Ruijter, 1986; de Ruijter and Calis, 1988) were shown to contain increased numbers of Varroa mites. Rather than the shape of the cell, the time and construction effort needed for capping might be the relevant factor in determining the degree of mite infestation. In addition, stimuli from the larvae themselves are involved. Drone larva are preferred in vitro over worker larvae in choice experiments (Rosenkranz et al, 1984; Otten and Fuchs, 1989). 

Fuchs, S. (1990). Preference for drone brood cells by Varroa jacobsoni Oud. in colonies of Apis mellifera carnica. Apidologie, 21(3), 193-199.

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