Reproduction of Varroa destructor does not elicit varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) or recapping behaviour in honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera)

Abstract Suppressed mite reproduction (SMR) is an important trait for the selection of Varroa resistant honey bee colonies. It has repeatedly been assumed that SMR effect varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) when hygienic bees preferably remove those brood cells where reproduced. We here compare VSH behaviour toward artificial infested with a mite. By infesting half directly after cell capping and other only 24 h later, we established two groups high (> 75%) low (< 2%) reproduction. After 8 days, about 40% were removed, however without any difference between both groups. Likewise, no group differences recorded in percentage recapped cells. This strongly indicates presence offspring not crucial trigger behaviour. data like non-reproducing mites are therefore optimal measure colonies VSH.