Varroa+Mite+Infestation

**What is an infestation? **
In the case of //Varroa// mites, an infestation is when there are excessive numbers of this invasive parasite in an area.

**Where does this mite live? **
The //Varroa// mite spends most of its time in the honey bee colony sealed in brood cells, except in the occasions where it is distributed by swarms of bees or forager bees ( Rosenkranz et al. 2010 ). This is because the //Varroa// mite is unable to sustain itself without a host ( Rosenkranz et al. 2010 ). It is for this reason that in most cases, it is not until the infestation is severe that there is any indication the mite has entered the bee colony (Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute 2003).

The environment that seems to be the most favoured for the //Varroa// mite’s highest level of colony destruction is one where there are not enough resources for bees, such as in drought periods, and also in colonies with high densities of bees (Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute 2003).

**What indicates an infestation? **
The infestations are characterised by changes to the brood cells (honey cells in which the bee pupae are laid), such as white coloured debris around the cell, excess removal of damaged brood cells, changes to the colour of bee pupae, and disfigured or stunted bees (Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute 2003).



The brood cells of bee colonies. Source: Agricultural Research 2005.

©Kirsty Pearson 2010