What is one indicator of colony decline possibly associated with Tropilaelaps clareae?

The correct answer pertains to swarming behavior as an indicator of colony decline associated with Tropilaelaps clareae. When a colony experiences stress or decline, swarming behavior can manifest as a defense mechanism. This may occur when the colony is unable to sustain its population due to external threats such as the presence of parasites like Tropilaelaps clareae, which can impact brood health.

Tropilaelaps clareae is a parasitic mite that infests honey bee brood and can lead to significant brood mortality. As the health of the colony deteriorates due to infestation, worker bees may decide to swarm in an attempt to ensure survival by relocating to a new site. Swarming is often a symptom of underlying issues in the colony, such as inadequate brood health or reduced worker bee populations, which can result from the effects of these parasites.

On the other hand, excessive drone production, improved honey yield, or reducing brood rearing are typically not indicators of a colony in distress linked directly to such infestation. In fact, excessive drone production might indicate a healthy queen capable of laying eggs in a normal colony scenario, improved honey yield suggests a robust foraging population, and reduced brood rearing aligns with situations where a colony is conserving resources rather