What type of egg does the foundress female Varroa mite lay within 60 hours of entering a larval cell?

The foundress female Varroa mite primarily lays male eggs soon after entering a larval cell, typically within 60 hours. This behavior is crucial for the reproductive strategy of the Varroa mite. When a mite infests a brood cell of a honeybee, it typically chooses a cell containing a capped larva, most often of a drone, since drone pupae provide a larger and more nutrient-rich environment for the developing mite offspring.

The male eggs are unfertilized and result in male mites, which serve the purpose of mating with any future female mites that emerge from the same cell. By laying male eggs, the mite ensures a rapid increase in their population within the environment of the bee colony. This reproductive tactic enhances their survival and spread, as the males will eventually mate with newly emerged females from other cells.

The choice to lay male eggs within the first 60 hours is a strategic adaptation to maximize their reproductive success by utilizing the available resources effectively. Other options involve worker eggs, queen eggs, and drone eggs, which may not align with the specific reproductive behavior of Varroa mites within the defined time frame.