Parasites of honey bees

The rapid spread of the Varroa mite amongst colonies of A. mellifera during the last six years has been a major case for concern amongst bee~ keepers. The mite has been spread through such of the world by the introduction of infested bees into disease-free areas. Both larval and adult honeybees can be infested by this parasitic mite, Varroa jacobsoni While A. cerana can survive well in the presence of the mite, colonics of A. mellifera are ultimately weakened if infested by Varroa. The mite is about 1 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, and reddish brown in colour; it can be seen with the naked eye on adult bees and on larvae in unsealed cells.

Another mite which parasitizes A. mellifera and A. dorsata honeybees in a Similar way is Tropilaelaps clareae. As with Varroa, the female mite lays her eggs on a larva, and the mites develop and grow by feeding on the body of the larva. At present, T. clareae is known only in South-East Asia and the Philippines, but many scientists believe that it could become as serious a pest of honeybees as Varroa. Other species of honeybee mites are now being identified. To prevent the accidental spread of these harmful mites it is important that as much as possible is known about their distribution.