Parasitic Mites of Honey Bees: Life History, Implications, and Impact

Abstract

The hive of the honey bee is a suitable habitat for diverse mites (Acari), including nonparasitic, omnivorous, and pollen-feeding species, and parasites. The biology and damage of the three main pest species Acarapis woodi, Varroa jacobsoni, and Tropilaelaps clareae is reviewed, along with detection and control methods. The hypothesis that Acarapis woodi is a recently evolved species is rejected. Mite-associated bee pathologies (mostly viral) also cause increasing losses to apiaries. Future studies on bee mites are beset by three main problems: (a) The recent discovery of several new honey bee species and new bee-parasitizing mite species (along with the probability that several species are masquerading under the name Varroa jacobsoni) may bring about new bee-mite associations and increase damage to beekeeping; (b) methods for studying bee pathologies caused by viruses are still largely lacking; (c) few bee- and consumer-friendly methods for controlling bee mites in large apiaries are available.

Seasonal prevalence of pathogens and parasites in the savannah honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata)

“…The health of honeybees has been one of the most important topics in apicultural research in recent years (Genersch, 2010). This is primarily due to the recent emergence of high honeybee colony losses in many parts of the world (Le Conte et al, 2010;Neumann and Carreck, 2010;Stokstad, 2007;vanEngelsdorp et al, 2008) and the vulnerability of honeybees to parasitic mites, fungi, viruses and bacteria (Bailey and Ball, 1991;Chen et al, 2006;Dietemann et al, 2012;Genersch, 2010;Genersch et al, 2010;Martin, 2001;Ribière et al, 2010;Sammataro et al, 2000). These pathogens and parasites can have harmful effects on honeybee health and the services they offer, which in turn can lead to severe economic losses (Genersch, 2010;Morse and Calderone, 2000;Shen et al, 2005).…”

Impact of an ectoparasite on the immunity and pathology of an invertebrate: Evidence for host immunosuppression and viral amplification

“…This service has been threatened by an outbreak of varroa mites, causing devastating harm to bee colonies in the United States (10,11). Varroa mites parasitize pupae and adult bees and reproduce in the pupal brood cells (11).…”

IPM Potentials of Microbial Pathogens and Diseases of Mites

“…Several viruses are known from the honeybee (Apis mellifera), some of which are associated with the varroa mite Varroa jacobsoni and the honeybee tracheal mite (HBTM) Acarapis woodi (Sammataro, Gerson, & Needham 2000). These viruses may always be present in the bee, either in a latent or in an unapparent form.…”