" And consequently, the average amount of infested drones (18.2%) is much greater than that of worker bees (3.6%)."

This report may show be an important route for mites to migrate from hive to hive.  After all, drones are accepted to any colony they try to enter and are known to drift a great deal and to drift long distances.  Long distances as in several miles.  I would think drones might also be a better food source for mites than workers.  I think drones have a larger fat body.  Could it be that drones move more mites than workers?

I have no quant data on drone drift but have many times seen mating nucs with a whole lot more drones than were put in those nucs when they were made up.  Mating nucs seem to be drone attractive.


Dick

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