Aaron

>I  know of no documented cases of Varroa in queen cells.

Just for clarification, is it that varroa do not reproduce in queen cells or
is it that varroa are never found in queen cells?  I ask because if varroa
were found in queen cells but do not reproduce, then a queen cell would be a
way of carrying the varroa mite from one area to another.  The varroa mite
would be able to emerge with the virgin queen and then enter another cell of
a drone or worker and reproduce there, thus starting an infection.

In Apis cerana, Varroa jacobsoni will enter the cell of a worker but do not
reproduce in them.  I have found V.jacobsoni in the worker cells of A.
cerana.

Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA