Deformed wings

[Mason]

I noticed when checking my hives this weekend a tiny bee with deformed or almost nonexistent wings.  I looked around for more with this condition but only saw the one.  Is this something I should be concerned about?  What would cause that and what should I be doing to prevent it?

I am in Georgia and the weather is still pretty nice.  Both hives have healthy queens and some stores.  I treated with Apigaurd back in August.  I have also been using some Honey B Healthy to stimulate feeding.  The numbers have reduced over the past month but I think it's enough bees to make it through the winter.  As a newbie I suppose I won't really know until spring.   

[David LaFerney]

Varroa cause that.  Other things might as well.

[Robo]

Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) is usually associated with high varroa counts.  This year I did see a few minor cases of it on weaker hives without substantial varroa.   We did have a horrible wet/cold spring which caused chalk brood in these hives as well.

I would not be too worried if you only saw one.  Just keep an eye on it, and do a varroa check if you can.