The connection between mite-biting ability and flight performance

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a critical component within the pollination cycle of various angiosperms. Around 80% of the flower population is pollinated by bees, making them the primary floral visitors. Therefore, the distance, duration, and velocious performance of honey bees are undisputedly crucial to the pollination cycle. One of the most significant threats to the western honey bee is the varroa mite (Varroa destructor). These parasitic predicaments have given birth to various biological and structural impediments for honey bees. However, little research has been conducted to analyze the possible connections between mite-biting ability and overall flight performance in honey bees. What is the relationship between mite prevalence and flight execution? What indirect consequences occur due to the correlation between varroa and flight performance? This study investigates the effectiveness of Western honey bees in defending themselves against Varroa destructor and examines the potential consequences of this defensive trait on their overall performance. We analyzed 2,243 varroa mites collected during the summer of 2024. Each mite was thoroughly examined to determine whether legs were present. The observation process involved carefully inspecting the mite’s body structure, particularly the legs, to confirm their presence. This would dictate if a colony has a high mite-biting percentage. We also utilized the flight mill to compare the flight performance of low mite-biting colonies to high mite-biting colonies. If varroa mites produce negative biological consequences in honey bees, then high mite-biting colonies will display superior flight performance over low mite-biting colonies.