Data for: The cell invasion preference of Varroa destructor between the original and new honey bee hosts

We hypothesize that Varroa mites exhibit cell invasion preference between its original and new honey bee hosts. Our behavioral data based on binary choice tests demonstrate that the mites do prefer the new host, the European honey bees Apis mellifera. The chemical data from GC-MS analyses of hexane extraction show significant differences of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles bwtween Apis mellifera and Apis cerana larvae. In addtion, the data of the behaviral study using glass dummies applied by cuticular hydrocarbon extractions reveal the role of these compounds in mediating the differential invasion preference of Varroa destructor.