trait for the Russian honeybee to create supersedure cells, but their presence does not necessarily indicate an impending swarm. Honey production Multi-state field trials have shown that Russian honeybees either meet or exceed industry standards for honey production. Pests and diseases Varroa mite Russian honey bees have been proven to be more than twice as resistant to various parasitic mites than other honeybees. This strain occurs in the original native range of the varroa mite, and selective pressure could have favored bees that exhibited aggressive behavior against colony-level mite infestations. Accordingly, experimental research has found that mite populations decline in colonies of pure Russian and of hybrid Russian-Italian bees. The mechanisms through which mite populations are controlled in these colonies include hygienic behavior towards mites, and possibly increased aggression towards mites. In addition, Russian honeybees are able to detect female varroa mites within breeding cells, which they uncap leaving the mite exposed. Tracheal mites Russian honey bees also have been shown to resist infestation by the tracheal mite Acarapis woodi. This heritable trait is likely brought about through grooming behaviors of the bees. Small hive beetle Russian honeybees when compared to A. m. ligustica Italian honeybees, have been shown to exhibit heightened aggression toward Small Hive Beetles (SHB), resulting in "fewer invading beetles, lower small hive beetle population through time, and lesser reproduction." References External links Western honey bee breeds Beekeeping in Russia