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

Abstract

© 2018 Successful reproduction by unmated Tropilaelaps mercedesae is reported here for the first time. Of the eight mature daughters that did not have male mates within their natal cells, four produced both mature sons and daughters, and four produced mature daughters only. Overall, 78% of the new daughters that had no egg-laying experience, and 84% of the foundresses that had or had not laid previously reproduced. Both inoculum daughter and foundress mites were collected from tan-bodied pupae and inoculated immediately. Therefore, our results suggest that phoresy is not required for reproduction in tropilaelaps mites. The ability of virgin females to lay both males and females (deuterotoky), and to reproduce without spending a phoretic period on adult bees may play major roles in tropilaelaps mites’ competitive advantage over varroa mites in Apis mellifera colonies.