>Abstract – This study was conducted to evaluate the Indiana “mite-biter” honey bee stock, which has been selected
for increased mutilation of Varroa destructor mites (“mite biting” behavior). A comparison between colonies of the
selected stock and colonies of unselected Italian bees showed that the proportion of mutilated mites, the severity of
mutilations, and winter colony survival were higher in Indiana mite-biter colonies. Additionally, the number of fallen
mites and the rate of mite population growth were lower in the colonies of the selected genotype than in those of the
unselected genotype. The expression of a gene associated with grooming behavior, AmNrx-1 (neurexin ), was
significantly higher in the selected stock. Moreover, AmNrx-1 expression was positively correlated with the
proportion of mutilated mites but not with mite population growth. AmNrx-1 may have the potential to be used
for marker-assisted selection. This study provides evidence that selection for mite-biting behavior reduces
V. destructor infestations, increases colony survival and increases the expression of a grooming behavior–
associated gene.


Grooming behavior and gene expression of the Indiana “mite-biter” honey bee stock
Nuria MORFIN et al.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s13592-019-00710-y.pdf


Bill Hesbach
Cheshire CT

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