Hi,
Is anyone investigating what stumuli varroa use to find bees, larvae and
drone larvae?
Perhaps there is a chemical achilles heel, a chemical or chemicals that
tell them dinner is served. If these attractant(s) could be identified, it
may be possible to build a mechanical trap, like for instance a frame
insert with mite sized holes in it lined with the attractant(s) and a
sticky substance.
How do they know drone cells from worker cells? Is it that they actively
seek out drone larvae over worker larvae and if so, why? Or are they just
able to raise more young if they happen to end up in a drone cell.
Maybe there is a drone cell pheromone that they go after.
Paul