In the context of honey bee resistance screening, a screened bottom board functions as a precise isolation interface between the colony and a collection tray. Its primary purpose is to capture Varroa mites that fall from the cluster, using a mesh barrier to prevent bees from removing the debris or mites from reattaching to a host.
The screened bottom board is the essential hardware for calculating "natural mite fall" and "mite injury rates." By physically separating the parasite from the host, it provides the clean, quantitative data necessary to identify colonies that possess natural defenses against Varroa destructor.
The Mechanics of Data Isolation
Creating a Physical Barrier
The device utilizes a specific mesh aperture structure positioned at the base of the hive. This screen allows mites—dislodged by hive vibrations or active grooming by worker bees—to fall through to a collection tray below.
Preventing Re-infestation
Once a mite passes through the screen, it is physically separated from the colony. This is critical because it prevents the mite from crawling back up and reattaching to a bee, ensuring the "fallen" count accurately reflects the mites removed from the population.
Preserving the Data
Without a screen, worker bees would instinctively clean the bottom board, removing dead or damaged mites as trash. The screen blocks this hygienic behavior at the floor level, preserving the fallen mites so researchers can collect and analyze them.
Critical Metrics for Resistance Breeding
Calculating Natural Mite Fall
The primary metric derived from this tool is the natural mite fall rate. By counting mites on the tray over a specific period, researchers can estimate the total parasite load of the colony non-invasively.
Assessing Mite Injury Rates
The screen allows for the retrieval of mites that have been bitten or damaged by bees. Calculating the proportion of injured mites provides direct evidence of grooming behavior, a key trait in resistant colonies that actively suppress mite proliferation.
Monitoring Population Dynamics
Regular monitoring via the bottom board tracks the growth rate of the mite population early in the season. This data highlights colonies capable of suppressing mite reproduction, distinguishing resistant stock from susceptible colonies.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Passive vs. Active Management
While the screened bottom board aids in physical control by removing fallen mites, it is primarily a monitoring tool in this context, not a standalone cure. It does not actively kill mites remaining on the bees; it only captures those that have already detached.
Data Fidelity Risks
The accuracy of the data relies on the consistent presence and cleaning of the collection tray. If the tray is not checked regularly, debris accumulation can make counting difficult, or scavengers (like ants) might remove the mites before they are counted, skewing the resistance data.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To effectively utilize screened bottom boards in your resistance program, align your usage with your specific objectives.
- If your primary focus is genetic selection: Prioritize the microscopic analysis of fallen mites to calculate the ratio of chewed or injured parasites, as this indicates active hygienic behavior.
- If your primary focus is general health monitoring: Track the daily mite fall rate to identify population spikes early, allowing you to intervene before the infestation correlates with high winter mortality.
The screened bottom board transforms the hive floor from a passive surface into a critical diagnostic tool for identifying superior genetics.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Function in Resistance Screening | Impact on Data Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh Barrier | Separates fallen mites from the bee cluster | Prevents mite re-attachment to hosts |
| Debris Isolation | Blocks worker bees from cleaning away fallen mites | Preserves evidence for damage/injury analysis |
| Collection Tray | Enables non-invasive counting of natural mite fall | Provides quantitative metrics for parasite load |
| Aperture Design | Allows mite passage while restricting bee access | Ensures hive hygiene behavior doesn't skew counts |
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References
- Nedjma Dadoun, Ourdia Sadeddine Zennouche. Differences in grooming behavior between susceptible and resistant honey bee colonies after 13 years of natural selection. DOI: 10.1007/s13592-020-00761-6
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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