A Discrete-Continuous Modeling Framework to Study the Role of Swarming in a Honeybee-Varroa destrutor-Virus System

Varroa destructor: how does it harm Apis mellifera honey bees and what can be done about it?

“…Two other adult bee traits, grooming [126] and recapping [127,128], have been confirmed as important mechanisms for Varroa resistance. At the colony level, swarming can enhance resistance in surviving populations living in the wild [71,129]. Brood traits could also be involved in resistance abilities, if they confer hypersensibility of the brood that leads to the accelerated death or an increased rate of removal, thereby preventing the spread and reproduction of Varroa [110,130].…”

Does nonreproductive swarming adapt to pathogens?

“…Therefore, movement and habitat use may be strong determinants of honey bee avoidance of pathogen and parasite transmission [ 3 ]. As investigated by Vardayani et al [ 8 ], swarming significantly reduced disease infestation with Varroa and Acute Bee Paralysis Virus in the parent colony. Although hygienic behavior of honey bees has been considered an important immune response of pathogen resistance, left beehives were very common following an outbreak of American foulbrood, which resulted in a heavy cost due to the removal of healthy larvae [ 32 ].…”

“…Generally, this swarming occurs between 10 AM and 2 PM on a warm sunny day in the spring or summer, seasons with sufficient plant nectar and temperate climate to facilitate the development and growth of the new colony [ 7 ]. Due to rapid growth, reproductive swarming is also useful for increasing the population and maintaining a high level of reproduction during times of rich food resources, and it is the major way of reproduction of honey bee colonies [ 8 ].…”