> In choice tests with living and dead females, males mated preferably with young, freshly molted females regardless of whether the females were alive or dead. The deutochrysalis—living or dead—were completely unattractive to male mites. We hardly ever observed copulation attempts with living old female mites. The freeze-killed old female mites still revealed a certain attractiveness to males, but this was clearly lower compared with young female mites. So far, we do not have a conclusive explanation for the slightly higher attractiveness of dead old females compared to living old female mites. 

> It is likely that chemical cues, such as pheromones, are involved in this process, and that they are released directly after the molt, possibly from the now uncovered gonopores. Within the following 24 h, the attractiveness of young adult mites clearly decreases. Although males still make definite copulation attempts towards these females, the differences between freshly molted and 24-h-old females are obvious. 

> As long as there are no younger females available, males continue with the mating process. However, the willingness to mate with older females decreases, and already 24 h after the molt, the females are clearly less attractive. Thus, males are obviously able to distinguish between freshly molted and older females and mate with the youngest mature females.

The mating behavior of Varroa destructoris triggered by a female sex pheromone, 
Bettina Ziegelmann, Anne Lindenmayer, Johannes Steidle, Peter Rosenkranz in Apidologie (2012)

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