Are varroa mites a serious pest of Apis cerana, their original host?

Varroa mites are indeed a significant threat to honeybee populations, particularly affecting Apis mellifera, the Western honeybee. However, when it comes to Apis cerana, the original host of the varroa mite, the relationship is more complex.

While it is true that varroa mites can infest Apis cerana, this species has developed several behavioral traits and physiological adaptations that help it manage the presence of these mites more effectively. For instance, Apis cerana has been observed to groom themselves more efficiently and can remove varroa mites from their bodies. Additionally, they have developed a stronger social response to mites, often leading to a broader acceptance of smaller numbers of mites in the colony without the same devastating impacts seen in Apis mellifera colonies.

Therefore, while varroa mites do affect Apis cerana, the impact is not as severe, particularly on the entire colony level, as it is with Apis mellifera. Hence, suggesting that only drone brood is affected does not capture the full picture, as the mites can and do infest worker brood to some extent in Apis cerana colonies.

The correct answer adequately recognizes that while varroa mites are a pest for Apis