FECAL ACCUMULATIONS DEPOSITED BY VARROA CAN BE USED AS A SIMPLE FIELDDIAGNOSTIC FOR INFESTATIONS OF THIS HONEY-BEE PARASITE

The Varroa mite, an external brood parasite of honey bees, defecates w ithin the brood cells of maturing bee pupae. Accumulations of the mite feces appear as white amorphous masses deposited on the ceiling of th e cell. These masses contrast sharply with the surrounding pupal case and are easily seen when the comb is inverted in sunlight, Fecal accum ulations can be used as a simple visual indicator to diagnose the pres ence of varroa, With experience one can discriminate between low, mode rate and advanced infestations. Very low infestations of varroa can be detected, even in a vigorous colonies.