Light to dark mite ratio

[Patrick Scannell]

I have been noticing a higher proportion of light colored mites on the sticky board lately.

(This is from a hive in its second week of weekly OA treatments, and still dropping around 100 mpd.)

Does this observation have any useful management implications?

[Michael Bush]

If you mean they are two different colors of purplish brown, it has to do with the stage of life they are in. The ones the have just emerged are different looking than the ones that have fed and are ready to go in a cell. If you mean the white ones, they wouldn't live anyway.

[Patrick Scannell]

I mean the white ones.

What do you think is going on that would cause more white ones to start appearing on the sticky board?

Earlier in the year there was chewed up brood, and brood parts as evidence of hygenic behavior. But there is none of that now. Hive activity is so quiet there is nothing on the sticky board except mites.

[dickm]

I was told the white ones were the males!

dickm

[Robert Brenchley]

The white ones are immatures; if there are a lot falling out then something's going on. I've been told that the pale brown ones are subadults which are unlikely to be able to reproduce; if this is correct than its a hopeful sign when you see a lot.

------------------
Regards,

Robert Brenchley

RSBrenchley@aol.com
Birmingham UK