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Varroa destructor mites regularly generate ultra-short, high magnitude vibrational pulses
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Hall, Harriet, Bencsik, Martin, Newton, Michael I., Chandler, David, Prince, Gillian and Dwyer, Scott (2022) Varroa destructor mites regularly generate ultra-short, high magnitude vibrational pulses. Entomologia Generalis, 42 (3). pp. 375-388. doi:10.1127/entomologia/2021/1407 ISSN 0171-8177.
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WRAP-Varroa-destructor-mites-regularly-generate-ultra-short-high-magnitute-vibrational-pulses-2022.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (2756Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2021/1407
Abstract
The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is considered one of the greatest threats to the honeybee Apis mellifera. To successfully manage mite populations residing in the colony, beekeepers must stay informed of infestation levels in their apiaries. The remote, non-destructive detection of Varroa mites in honeybee hives would therefore be highly desirable. Here we show that an ultra-sensitive (1000 mV/g) accelerometer can detect vibrational waveforms originating from one individual mite. We further focus on a commonly observed pulsing behaviour never before described, characterising its physical features, periodicity and strength. The spectral features of the detected pulses strongly depend on the substrate on which they are produced. The characteristics of the vibrational pulse, particularly its repeatability and strength, indicate that mite vibrations could be successfully detected in a fully populated honeybee hive. These features, combined with the remarkably high varroa muscular power output (up to 810nW) indicate that this pulse may be functional for the mite. Our results uncover an exciting novel behaviour and provide a foundation for the remote detection of mites in beehives using vibration capture.
| Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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| Subjects: | Q Science > QL Zoology | ||||||||
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) | ||||||||
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Varroa, Varroa destructor, Mites -- Behavior -- Research , Honeybee, Vibration -- Physiological effect, Animal communication | ||||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Entomologia Generalis | ||||||||
| Publisher: | Schweizerbart Science Publishers | ||||||||
| ISSN: | 0171-8177 | ||||||||
| Official Date: | 18 May 2022 | ||||||||
| Dates: |
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| Volume: | 42 | ||||||||
| Number: | 3 | ||||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 375-388 | ||||||||
| DOI: | 10.1127/entomologia/2021/1407 | ||||||||
| Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
| Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||||
| Date of first compliant deposit: | 13 June 2022 | ||||||||
| Date of first compliant Open Access: | 14 June 2022 | ||||||||
| RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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