Amir Naji  Khoei, Cetin  Firatli, Pedram  Golamzade, 
    Expression of Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) in Iranian Honey Bees (<I>Apis mellifera</I> meda),
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 13,Issue 2,
    2014,
    Pages 72-76,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2014.72.76,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2014.72.76)
    Abstract: In Iran honey bees cannot be kept without chemical treatments 
  against <I>Varroa destructor</I>. The rich variety of native honeybee subspecies 
  and ecotypes in Iran offers a good genetic resource for selection towards Varroa 
  resistance. There are some examples of mite resistance that have developed because 
  of natural selection in wild and managed Iranian populations. Researchers tested 
  five commercial sources of honey bees, <I>Apis mellifera</I> meda in East Azarbaijan 
  Province of Iran. Colonies from the five sources were measured for VSH and number 
  of the fallen mites on the hive floor. The reduction of mite infestation in 
  brood combs exposed to test colonies for 1 week differed significantly between 
  groups. On average, colonies with natural low-level brood infestation reduced 
  infestation by 26%. A positive correlation (Spearman coefficient) between Number 
  of Fallen Mites per 1000 Bees (NFMB) with percentage of the mites that infested 
  the brood (PMB) (r = 0.442**; p&lt;0.01; n = 50) was found. Results of path 
  analysis showed 53 and 14% of variation (standard deviation) in NFMB are because 
  of percentage of the mites in phoretic phase (PMP) and PMB variables, respectively. 
  This diversity offers rich potential genetic resources for selection on mite 
  resistance.
    Keywords: Varroa resistance;Iranian honey bees;Varroa sensitive hygiene;chemical;hive floor