The parasitic mites of honeybees–past, present and future

Subject Areas : entomology and othea arthropods

Richard A. Baker ¹ (Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, U.K.)

Received: 2009-11-22 Accepted : 2010-02-17 Published : 2010-02-20

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Abstract :

The paper deals with the some of the more important parasitic mites associated with honeybees. Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman is worldwide and the most familiar and destructive of the bee mites, causing death and damage to large numbers of honeybees. Known from Asia, the tropical bee mites Tropilaelaps clareae Delfinado and Baker and T. koenigerum Delfinado Baker and Baker, are spreading and are a potential threat to bee keepers in many parts of the world. Two new species of Tropilaelaps have recently been described. Acarapis woodi Rennie, known as the honeybee tracheal mite (H.B.T.M.) reduces the resistance of bees to other parasites and diseases, shortens the life cycle and in heavy infestations can block the tracheae of bees.