New species of Varroa

A new species of Varroa mite has been identified* from nest of Apis cerana. Named after Ben Underwood who collected Varroa underwoodi. This mite differs from Varroa jacobsoni in having a smaller sized body and the female has long setae (‘hairs’) radiating outwards from the side of the body. The biology of Varroa underwoodi is not yet known but it is likely that the mite feeds on bee brood and could become serious pest of honeybees.

* M Delfinado-Baker and K Aggarwal, A new Varroa (Acari: Varroidae) from the nest of Apis cerana (Apidae). Internat J Acarol 1.3 No 4; 233-237.