What is a common symptom of Varroa mite infestation in bees?

Deformed wings in adult bees is a common symptom of Varroa mite infestation because the mites feed on the developing pupae in the brood cells, impacting their growth and emergence. When the mites invade the pupae, they disrupt normal development, leading to malformed wings and other physical abnormalities once the bees mature. These deformations can prevent bees from flying properly, which in turn affects their ability to forage and perform essential functions within the colony.

The other options do not accurately reflect symptoms associated with Varroa infestations. For instance, discolored eggs in the brood typically indicate other issues such as poor queen health or disease rather than a direct effect of Varroa mites. Excessive honey production is generally a sign of a healthy hive and is not linked to mite problems, while increased bee population may occur in a thriving colony but does not specifically highlight the negative impacts of a Varroa infestation, which instead usually leads to a decline in colony strength over time.