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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
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Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:14:03 -0400
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> In general, Mel has a good point.  Any phoretic mites passing over a cell 
> containing a propupa would likely drop in.  Not sure about the "all mites" 
> part.  The foundress mites and their offspring then would compete at the 
> same feeding wound, to their detriment.  Few daughter mites would survive.

I see you see what I see, and debate (doubt?) whether the foundresses would 
be killed or merely slowed down one brood cycle.

I've often wondered about this same effect in regard to overwintering and 
why the multiple mites per cell that one would infer is not more disastrous.

In winter, we typically see that hives start and maintain a small patch of 
brood -- several square inches only -- after the short broodless period 
which occurs in fall.

Where there are 1% to 3% phoretic mite levels, that works out to roughly 280 
to 840 mites on 8 lbs of bees.  (1% x 8 x 3500 = 280)

In the case of brood patches measuring 2-1/2" across on 2 comb faces, we get 
x 3.14 x (2.5/2)^2 x 25 ~= 250 cells.

That suggests anywhere from one to three mites competing for these few 
cells, and at some point, at resumption of brood rearing, there is only one 
cell, then 2 cells, etc.

Where are the mites?  Are they in the centre of the cluster, or are they out 
further, or scattered evenly?  Does anyone know?

If they are mobile or near the new brood, then do they all go into the first 
cell?

What actually happens in this situation?  Does anyone study mites in 
wintering bees?

This also raises the question whether uncapping/recapping behaviour could be 
counterproductive under some scenarios.  (See pictures of recapping at 
www.kettlevalleyqueens.com) 

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