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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Chemistry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #385770
Research Project: Chemical Communications of Plants, Insects, Microbes, and Nematodes

Location: Chemistry Research

Title: Respiration levels of honey bee casts as a possible indicator in varroa mite attraction

Author
item Stuhl, Charles
item Romero, Maritza
item NOBLE, ISSAC - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Apiculture Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2022
Publication Date: 2/16/2023
Citation: Stuhl, C.J., Romero, M.I., Noble, I.I. 2023. Respiration levels of honey bee casts as a possible indicator in varroa mite attraction. Journal of Apiculture Research. 10:1-3. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2023.2179773.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2023.2179773

Interpretive Summary: The Varroa mite is a predatory ectoparasitic pest of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. Previous research has indicated that the Varroa mite prefers honey bee drone larvae and is attracted to odors produced by these larvae. Scientists at the Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Chemistry Research Unit in Gainesville, FL investigated the CO2 respiration of the all stages of honey bees (drones, workers, and queens, also called castes). An experiment was conducted using equipment designed to measures plant leaf-level gas exchange. A modification of this equipment allowed us to measure the respiration rate of the honey bee castes. In this study, our analysis resulted in respiration levels that indicated a significant difference in the CO2 levels of adult worker and drone honey bees. The comparison of worker and drone pupae showed no difference in the respiration levels; however, there was a noticeable difference in respiration levels of the worker and drone larvae. This experiment provides critical information on the respiration levels of honey bee castes and how Varroa may select drone larvae for reproduction. This knowledge is a crucial step for the advancement in research studies and the development of management protocols for Varroa.

Technical Abstract: Varroa mites prefer drone larvae over other castes, but the mechanism behind preferred host location is unknown. We hypothesize that it may be due to differential respiration rates between larvae, but no investigations have been reported. This research was developed to determine if there is measurable level and significant difference in honey bee caste respiration that may be exploited by Varroa mites in choice selection. In this study, we measured the respiration of all stages of Western honey bee Apis mellifera, L. castes to determine the rate of continuous respiration. An assay was conducted using a portable photosynthesis system for gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurement (Li-Core LI-6400XT) to measure the respiration rate. In this study, a comparative analysis resulted in respiration levels that indicated a significant difference in the CO2 levels of adult worker (777.0 ± 0.002 µg CO2 g insect-1 min-1) and drone (375.5 µg CO2) honey bees. The comparison of worker (5.59 ± 0.002 µg CO2 g insect-1 min-1) and drone (7.20 ± 0.002 µg CO2 g insect-1 min-1) pupae showed no significant difference in the respiration levels; however, there was a noticeable difference in respiration levels of the worker (6.33 ± 0.002 µg CO2 g insect-1 min-1) and drone (10.07 ± 0.002 µg CO2 g insect-1 min-1) larvae. These data provide critical information on the respiration levels of honey bee castes and how Varroa may select drone larvae for reproduction. This knowledge is a crucial step for the advancement in research studies and the development of management protocols for Varroa.