This time of year there is always an increased number of walkers (deformed wings) around the hives. Now I know that means there are mites in my hives, but could the increased numbers this time of year be due to the reduced number of drone brood, forcing the mites to use the less preferred worker cells for their multiplying and so infecting many more workers?? No scientific study was done and no government moneys were used for this .....just a thought.
the way i understand it. The mite itself is not the cause of the deformed wings. It is an actual virus that is caused when the mite load weakens the colony to the point there immune system is unable to fight off diseases.
It is a virus, but viruses are always present just waiting to take hold, and the mites give it that chance. The hive operates as a collective, but it is the individual bee's immune system that fails, not the hives immune system. Is it mites on that larvae that weaken it, causing it to hatch with deformed wings?? The bees do not catch the deformed wings they hatch with them.
I can open drone cells in the summer and find sometimes 4 or 5 mites on one larvae, and yet see few if any DW workers. Now this time of year, when the hives have cut way back on drone brood, the number of DW workers walking away from the hives increases. Does one have anything to do with the other?? Not looking for an argument, just trying to understand more about these mites.
Jim
All I know is when I have a bunch of crawling bees with messed up wings I am passed the time that I should have treated for mites. I pull all the supers and put in a tray of Apiguard. After 2 applications the mite cycle is broken and they are good to go. I am using queens that supposedly are mite resistant in 2 hives and it does seem I get fewer mites when I sugar shake them than my other ones that are still italians. Sure seems that you want genetic resistance instead of weak bees you have to treat. Fortunately this year mite load for mine is a lot lower than last year, again I'm thinking introducing some mite resistant stock may be helping.
SHB also lower this year. Not complaining!