Behaviour of Varroa mites invading honey bee brood cells

Invasion behaviour of Varroa jacobsoni into honey bee brood cells was studied using an observation hive. The mites were carried close to a suitable brood cell by the bees. Subsequently, the mites moved from the bees to the rim of the cell, walked quickly inside, crawled between the larva and the cell wall, and moved onto the bottom of the cell. Varroa mites were never seen walking across the comb, and entering and leaving brood cells as has been described for Tropilaelaps clareae. Differences in invasion strategies between V. jacobsoni and T. clareae are discussed.