A small shift in VSH-gene frequency instead of rapid parallel evolution in bees. A comment on Oddie et al. 2018

We refute a recent claim that parallel evolution in four European populations of honeybees has resulted in a not previously reported behavioural defence mechanism of the bees against the parasitic mite Varroa destructor , i.e. the ability of uncapping/recapping to reduce mite reproductive success. There are no data to support this claim, while there is a more plausible alternative interpretation of the reduced mite reproduction, i.e. reduction of mites through Varroa Sensitive Hygiene. We provide evidence why the former mechanism cannot explain resistance against Varroa in honeybees and the latter is instrumental in reducing Varroa populations.