How much more do Varroa mites prefer drone brood over worker brood?

Varroa mites exhibit a strong preference for drone brood compared to worker brood due to the longer development time of drone bees. Drone brood takes approximately 24 days to develop, while worker brood takes about 21 days. This additional time allows more Varroa mites to reproduce and infest the drone cells, making drones a more favorable environment for their lifecycle. Research indicates that Varroa mites prefer drone brood by a ratio of 9 to 1, meaning that for every nine drone cells infested, there is typically one worker cell infested. This preference not only impacts the health of the drone population but also has significant implications for the overall strength and productivity of the hive. Understanding this preference aids beekeepers in managing Varroa populations effectively, as monitoring and controlling the drone brood can help reduce the mite load within the colony.