Questions with Guaranteed Pass
Solutions 2026 Updated.
Effects of Varroa mites - Answer Misshapen wings and legs
shorter abdomen
lower body weight
lower blood volume
shorten life span
lower drone sperm count
how did we get the varroa mites? - Answer Originally a parasite of apis Cerana
species cross from cerana to mellifera in 1960s
from east to west of the world
Varro mites life cycle - Answer 1)queen lays 2000 eggs per day
2)worker bees carry varroa mites into the hive, mites find their way to brood chambers due to
olfactoey senses
3)few days later the mites lay the first eggs, first to hatch is alway male, and is followed up by
female mite eggs
4)to feed offspring the mother mite pierces a feeding hole in the bee pupa which has developed
in the meantime, bfore the bee hatches the mites mate again- during bee season the mite
population can double every four weeks
Bee IPM (integrated pest management) pyramid - Answer (Top)Synthetic chemicals
natural chemicals
cultural
monitoring
(bottom)Genetic
Varroa -Sensitive Hygienic bees - Answer bees uncp and remove chew infested pupae
and
,Grooming behavior - Answer -bees remove mites from their own bodies and or their
nestmates
-
ankle biter bees - Answer bees remove mites from their bodies and but mites legs off; mites
can no longer attach onto bees
Russian bees - Answer Encountered mites nearly a century ago and have had more time to
naturally develop tolerance
they have increased VSH behavior and cease brood production in times of food shortage
imported by the USDA bee breeding lab in Baton Rouge Louisiana
The primary stressors: The 3 P's - Answer Pesticide exposure
Poor Forage Availability
Pests & Pathogens
Varroa Mites - Answer Varroa destructor•First found in the US in 1987•Mites feed on
hemolymph and fat lipids of brood and bees•Spread viruses•Broad reaching impact on bee
health•May be the most pressing issue in beekeeping
Phoretic mites - Answer mites on the backs of bees)
Effects of varroa - Answer •Misshapen wings and legs•Shorter abdomen•Lower body
weight•Lower blood volume•Shortened lifespan (1/3 that of a healthy bee)•Lower drone sperm
count
Varroosis - Answer varroa mites
Varroa MitesHow did we get it? - Answer Originally a parasite of Apis cerana
Varroa distribution 2010
1960's---> 2007
, What is IPM? - Answer "The use of different techniques in combination to control pests, with
an emphasis on methods that are least injurious to the environment."A combination of
biological, cultural, and genetic pest control methods with use of pesticides as the last resort.
IPM considers a targeted species' life cycle and intervenes in reproduction, growth, or
development to reduce the population.""Maintaining pest populations below a level at which
economic damage results by using the least toxic methods."
IPM Decision-Making Tree for Varroa - Answer pic on phone
Pyramid of IPM Practices - Answer pic on phone
GeneticsVarroa-Sensitive Hygienic (VSH) bees - Answer Bees uncap and remove or chew
infested pupae; immature mites die •USDA Bee Breeding Laboratory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Minnesota Hygienic Line, University of Minnesota
Grooming behavior bees - Answer •Bees remove mites from their own bodies and/or their
nestmates' bodies •Stocks with grooming behavior also tend to express VSH behavior•Clemson
University, South Carolina (still in development)
Ankle Biter bees - Answer •Bees remove mites from their bodies and bite mites' legs off;
mites can no longer attach onto bees •Purdue University, Indiana
Russian Bees - Answer •Russian bees encountered mites nearly a century ago and have had
more time to naturally develop tolerance •They have increased VSH behavior and cease brood
production (causing a break in the brood cycle) in times of food shortage •Imported by the
USDA Bee Breeding Laboratory in Baton
Monitoring Techniques The Varroa Life Cycle - Answer •Learning about the varroa lifecycle
informs management decisions•Hives should be monitored for mites every month from April -
September
Monitoring Techniques Sugar Shake - Answer 1. Collect a ½ cup of worker bees from the
brood into your jar
2. Add 2 tbsp powdered sugar to the bees in the jar
3. Roll the jar to coat the bees with sugar and leave it for 2 minutes
4. Shake the mites out of the jar into a tub and count the number of mites in your sample