Effect of the honey bee subspecies on Varroa destructor population growth and brood infestation.

Summary The aim of the study was to check the effect of the honey bee subspecies on Varroa destructor population growth and on brood infestation by the parasite. The studies were carried out in 2009-2010. The following five subspecies of bees were tested: Carniolan bees represented by two lines, Kortowka and Dobra; Caucasian bees of the Woźnica line; Central European bees of the Augustowska line; crossbreeds achieved by the absorptive crossing of A. m. capensis with A. m. carnica drones selected for a short post capping period (PCP), bred at the Apiculture Division in Olsztyn. The coefficient of V. destructor population growth was similar in all groups, ranging from 1.3 to 1.5. The level of infestation of broods by Varroa destructor in all groups was also similar (17.2 to 19.6%) and no statistically significant differences were noted. We conclude that the honey bee subspecies has no effect on parasite population growth.