Successful reproduction of unmated Tropilaelaps mercedesae and its implication on mite population growth in Apis mellifera colonies

Guzman, Lilia I. de; Phokasem, Patcharin; Khongphinitbunjong, Kitiphong; Frake, Amanda M.; Chantawannakul, Panuwan

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2018.02.010

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Our results now finally confirm that in Varroa mites, sex is determined via arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, because female mites can definitively produce offspring without a previous mating. Tropilaelaps mercedesae , another parasitic honey bee mite, likely does not need mating to produce offspring, and unmated females are even capable to produce mature daughters via deuterotoky (Gunzman et al 2018). While deuterotoky in Tropilaelaps might have a huge impact on the population growth, it is questionable to what extent in Varroa destructor unmated females contribute to the population growth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive parameters of female Varroa destructor and the impact of mating in worker brood of Apis mellifera

et al. 2019

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During a reproductive cycle, not all daughter mites of Varroa destructor mate and thus leave the brood cells as virgins. Here, we show that virgin mites are present within both the phoretic (10%) and reproductive (8%) mite population. Most (n = 29 of n = 33) of these encountered virgins laid unfertilized (= male) eggs, and some (n = 10) mated later on with their own son. These findings were verified by tests with artificially reared virgin mites. Obviously, mating is not a prerequisite for Varroa reproduction. However, due to the small number of reproductive cycles, the contribution of virgins to the Varroa population is regarded as low. This study also confirms conclusively that sex of V. destructor is determined via arrhenotokous parthenogenesis and not-as previously assumed-via pseudo-arrhenotoky. Furthermore, reproductive parameters of naturally invaded and artificially introduced Varroa females were compared, and artificial infestation was reconfirmed as a suitable method.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive parameters of female Varroa destructor and the impact of mating in worker brood of Apis mellifera

et al. 2019

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“…In general, phoresy on adult honey bees is important in transporting mites to a new host or location or to meet the maturation process of spermatozoa as observed in varroa mites 27 . For tropilaelaps mites, phoresy is not required for successful reproduction 5 . In tropical Asia, continuous brood supply supports uninterrupted mite population growth 28,29 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feeding of varroa mites on only larvae within 18 h (worker) and 32 h (drone), respectively, after cell capping activates oogenesis 45 . It is not required for reproduction in tropilaelaps mites 5 . However, it is possible that feeding on unsealed larvae by tropilaelaps mites may also increase their reproductive potential, which requires further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, we established factors that are contributory to the rapid build up of tropilaelaps mites. After eclosion, unmated females have the ability to produce both male and female offspring, which is probably due to deuterotokous parthenogenesis or may be caused by endosymbiotic bacteria 5 . Hence, the production of females only, which is thought to increase the pool of non-reproductive tropilaelaps mites due to mating failure 6 , may not have a significant negative impact on mite population growth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, its association with tropilaelaps mites in Thailand has not been established. In addition, both young daughters and foundress mites that were collected from tan-bodied pupae reproduced successfully without undergoing a phoretic period, which can lead to more generations per year 5 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Feeding by Tropilaelaps mercedesae on pre- and post-capped brood increases damage to Apis mellifera colonies

Phokasem

Guzman

Khongphinitbunjong

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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Tropilaelaps mercedesae parasitism can cause Apis mellifera colony mortality in Asia. Here, we report for the first time that tropilaelaps mites feed on both pre- and post-capped stages of honey bees. Feeding on pre-capped brood may extend their survival outside capped brood cells, especially in areas where brood production is year-round. In this study, we examined the types of injury inflicted by tropilaelaps mites on different stages of honey bees, the survival of adult honey bees, and level of honey bee viruses in 4th instar larvae and prepupae. The injuries inflicted on different developing honey bee stages were visualised by staining with trypan blue. Among pre-capped stages, 4th instar larvae sustained the highest number of wounds (4.6 ± 0.5/larva) while 2nd-3rd larval instars had at least two wounds. Consequently, wounds were evident on uninfested capped brood (5th-6th instar larvae = 3.91 ± 0.64 wounds; prepupae = 5.25 ± 0.73 wounds). Tropilaelaps mite infestations resulted in 3.4- and 6-fold increases in the number of wounds in 5th-6th instar larvae and prepupae as compared to uninfested capped brood, respectively. When wound-inflicted prepupae metamorphosed to white-eyed pupae, all wound scars disappeared with the exuviae. This healing of wounds contributed to the reduction of the number of wounds (≤10) observed on the different pupal stages. Transmission of mite-borne virus such as Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) was also enhanced by mites feeding on early larval stages. DWV and Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV) were detected in all 4th instar larvae and prepupae analysed. However, viral levels were more pronounced in scarred 4th instar larvae and infested prepupae. The remarkably high numbers of wounds and viral load on scarred or infested developing honey bees may have caused significant weight loss and extensive injuries observed on the abdomen, wings, legs, proboscis and antennae of adult honey bees. Together, the survival of infested honey bees was significantly compromised. This study demonstrates the ability of tropilaelaps mites to inflict profound damage on A. mellifera hosts. Effective management approaches need to be developed to mitigate tropilaelaps mite problems.

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Anin vitroinvestigation into the survival ofTropilaelaps mercedesaeon a range of matrices

Gill,

Chuttong,

Davies

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Tropilaelapsspp. are a parasitic mite that feed and reproduce within honey bee brood (Apisspp.) and cause significant damage and mortality toApis melliferacolonies.T. mercedesaeis found outside the range of its natural hostA. dorsataand was recently detected in Europe for the first time in 2024. It is widely believed thatTropilaelapsspp. are unable to survive without brood. However, studies have demonstrated thatT. mercedesaecan survive during broodless periods while parasitisingA. dorsataand without brood in overwintering colonies ofA. melliferain temperate climates. This study sought to examine the survival ofT. mercedesaeon a range of matrices and found that mites could survive for more than 96 hours on live adultA. melliferaand more than 144 hours and 168 hours on decomposingA. melliferapupae and adults respectively. These findings could indicate one possible mechanism which allowsT. mercedesaeto survive without brood. These findings also have implications towards better understanding possible transmission routes forTropilaelaps. Previously bee sales in the form of queens and packages and used beekeeping equipment were considered a relatively low risk for transmittingTropilaelapsspp. due to the absence of live brood. This study demonstratesTropilaelaps’ability to survive in these scenarios and the increased potential for it to spread globally.

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Successful reproduction of unmated Tropilaelaps mercedesae and its implication on mite population growth in Apis mellifera colonies

Cited by 4 publications

References 14 publications

Reproductive parameters of female Varroa destructor and the impact of mating in worker brood of Apis mellifera

Reproductive parameters of female Varroa destructor and the impact of mating in worker brood of Apis mellifera

Feeding by Tropilaelaps mercedesae on pre- and post-capped brood increases damage to Apis mellifera colonies

Anin vitroinvestigation into the survival ofTropilaelaps mercedesaeon a range of matrices

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