Effects of Varroa on Brood

Effects of the Parasite on Larvae and Pupae

The varroa parasite found on the larvae within the brood cell reduces the body weight of the adult bee. As the number of varroa mites in the cell increases, the weight of the bee decreases. The weight loss due to the parasite is greater in worker bees than in drones. An increase in the number of varroa mites in the cell negatively affects the development of the hypopharyngeal glands that secrete royal jelly. The number of parasites observed in larvae and pupae causes a decrease in protein levels at different rates. As the number of parasites on the pupa increases, the size of the hypopharyngeal glands also decreases, leading to a reduction in the protein content in the bee's blood.