Temporal changes in Varroa destructor fertility and haplotype in Brazil

Abstract

The relationship between fertility and haplotype was studied in Varroa destructor mites sampled from colonies of A. mellifera carnica and Africanized Honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Germany and Brazil respectively. Both in Germany and in Brazil, only the V. destructor Korea haplotype was found, though the Japan-Thailand haplotype was formerly thought to have been more abundant in Brazil. The fertility of Varroa mites in Brazil has increased since 1998 and is currently (2001) at European levels. Temporal changes in mite fertility and haplotype are not fully congruent.